The Fjord Trail | An invitation to make your voice heard
A Hudson Highlands view of the Storm King Mountain range, on the train from Beacon to Cold Spring.
It’s been a long time in the making. Residents of the Hudson Highlands were introduced to the concept of the Fjord Trail almost two decades ago. The project—a 7.5-mile linear park connecting Cold Spring and Beacon—originated with Philipstown residents and was conceived to help ease traffic and parking congestion, improve pedestrian safety, and create a new walking and biking trail.
A trailhead reimagined
Connecting several heavily used existing trailheads in need of improvement, the Fjord Trail is imagined as an open space where residents and visitors can safely access the Hudson Highlands either by walking, hiking, or biking. In addition to the main trail, there are 6.5 miles of “meanders” which connect to other scenic points. According to HHFT, nearly 500,000 people currently visit the Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve every year and the Fjord Trail plan will help solve the current visitation problems local communities near the current trailhead are experiencing.
Poll finds majority of community supports the Fjord Trail
A trail marker shows the way on Dennings Point
A recent Harris Poll conducted on behalf of Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail, Inc. (HHFT, a nonprofit subsidiary of Scenic Hudson, Inc)—with 400 Cold Spring, Philipstown, Beacon, and Fishkill, and a further 400 residents from additional communities in the Hudson Valley— found overwhelming support for the project. 87% of residents in the project area (Cold Spring. Philipstown, Beacon, and Fishkill) support it, with 44% expressing strong support. Only 5% of those surveyed had never heard about the project.
The survey found the majority of those interviewed believe their current park options are lacking. The top concerns among this group include the safety of pedestrians on busy roadways like 9D, litter and trash management, the number of visitors, and an overall lack of parking.
According to its website, the HHFT has held more than 140 community engagement sessions since 2020 to address questions and concerns residents may have.
Environmental review process
At a state level, New York’s Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) is currently underway to ensure the Fjord Trail is fully evaluated for impacts through a comprehensive environmental review process before it can begin permitting or construction.
Based on the urgent need to resolve existing parking, safety, and erosion concerns, the .7-mile Breakneck Connector and Bridge has been prioritized as one of the most critical sections within the Fjord Trail project. This portion of the project underwent its own environmental review process and will be the first major section of the trail to be completed. Construction for the Breakneck Connector and Bridge is slated to begin this spring.
As part of the SEQRA process, and after a lengthy period of review, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) issued a notice of a Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (DGEIS) on the Fjord Trail on December 4th and opened public comment on its findings. The original 60-day deadline to respond has recently been extended to Tuesday, March 4th, 2025, after several state officials called for allowing more time for public comment.
Some of the connection points for the Fjord Trail.
Earlier this month, Beacon’s Mayor Lee Kyriacou shared his feedback on behalf of the city at OPRHP public hearing. A total of some 90 individuals shared their comments during the two public hearing sessions. The Fjord Trail will connect to Dennings Point State Park, Madame Brett Park, the Klara Sauer Trail, Long Dock Park, the Pete & Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park, and a future rail trail.
Kyriacou spoke of the recreational benefits of the new trail including greater access to the Hudson Highlands while flat trail sections will create more equitable access for seniors, people with disabilities, cyclists, runners, and casual walkers.
“Virtually the entire length of the east bank of the Hudson River has been a rail line and industrial site for close to two centuries, and transformation to a recreational use will improve the environment and provide long-denied public access to the some of the most iconic viewsheds along the Hudson River.
“And, as we have seen with other public trails accessible to users of all ages and abilities, the Fjord Trail will offer significant public health benefits, by providing a safe and enjoyable public facility on which to walk, run, and cycle, as well as non-car commuting options.”
Have your say
Beacon stands to be one of the key beneficiaries of a well-managed, well-executed Fjord Trail, and now is the time to have your say before the project’s work begins. There are many opinions on the value of the Fjord Trail and it’s important that every voice is heard. If you haven’t yet shared your thoughts, but this is a project you care about, this is the opportunity to share your support or concerns based on the findings of the DGEIS. You have until March 4th, 2025 to do so.
Contact Addresses
Email the Lead Agency, NY State Parks at hhft.plan@parks.ny.gov or mail to Nancy Stoner, Environmental Analyst, NYS OPRHP, DESP, 625 Broadway, 2nd Floor, Albany, NY 12238.
There’s an abundance of information available on the Fjord Trail, and it can be overwhelming to take in everything there is to know about the project. So, if you’d like a quick read to get up to speed, there’s a handy FAQ sheet on their website.
Long Dock Park at sunset.
In the meantime, if you’re looking to enjoy the outdoor life in Beacon, here are some ideas for what to enjoy.
Until next time…
The Beacon Beacon🧡