Rail Trail Moving from Dream to Reality

It’s been a long time coming, but the Adirondack Rail Trail between Lake Placid and Tupper Lake is finally becoming a reality. Construction of the 34-mile trail began in September of last year and has started with the removal of rails and ties along the trail route.

According to the trail website created by Adirondack Recreational Trail Advocates, rail removal has been completed and specialized equipment is now being used to remove the wooden ties. Once that’s done, actual trail construction can begin and is scheduled to be completed by 2024.

Regular rail service on the route ended in 1972, and New York State acquire the rail corridor in 1974 to preserve it for future development. After resolution of various court cases and planning issues, the trail will now be developed in two sections:

• The 34-mile segment linking Lake Placid, Ray Brook, Saranac Lake, Lake Clear, and Tupper Lake will become the Adirondack Rail Trail, a multi-use solid-surface all-year recreational trail with no grades greater than 2%.
• The 56 miles linking Old Forge, Big Moose, Beaver River, Sabattis and Tupper Lake will remain as a railroad line with rails in place for possible tourist rail use. It will also be used in the winter as a snowmobile trail.

That’s not a moment too soon for business and community officials along the trail route. After years of delays, they are looking forward to the tourism and economic gains that will come with the trail and the development opportunities along the route.

Saranac Lake Community Development Director Jamie Konkoski is one of the local officials who will be promoting the trail and actively working on projects to make it accessible to as many people as possible. She is a lifelong Adirondack resident and has been with the village of Saranac Lake for four years.

She’s particularly looking forward to creating a community asset that residents can use to live their daily lives in addition to using it for recreation.

“You will be able to ride on the rail trail the whole way with only one crossing on the highway,” she says. “It goes right through the village, so lots of neighborhoods will have access points. You won’t have to drive to it. This is a huge asset to residents. You could ride your bike to the Aldi grocery store or to the Blue Line brewery.”

Outside of town, the trail will give easy access to recreational areas for visitors from their lodging in town. In the village center, Konkoski is working on projects to make safe routes for bicycles to the trail and connect it to nearby neighborhoods. The old railroad depot area is particularly attractive, she says.

“Those building are part of the corridor, so they are on state property, so we are looking at making sure there are connections to the different destinations in downtown. It’s a good spot to jump off and there are lots of services. You’re going right through downtown Saranac Lake. We’ve been trying to add bicycle parking and trying to encourage businesses to add it as well.”

One of the projects that will help attract visitors to the depot district is the planned PlayADK children’s museum, slated to be created in a renovated warehouse near the trail that was just purchased. A local non-profit is developing the museum with revitalization funding from New York state and other sources.

She added that the trail will pay long term benefits to anyone who lives, works, or visits anywhere along the route.

“It provides a new recreational asset that’s different, that’s really family friendly. It’s for all ages and can appeal to people from 8 to 80—no special abilities required. You can have a real wilderness experience and get out into the woods without the same amount of effort you’d otherwise need to put forth.”