I used to be ambivalent about the creation of rail trails also. As a someone who bicycles for transportation, I know that they are not just "recreational" as George says, but rather provide safe transportation corridors for non-motorized movement. But I had concerns that the rail beds would someday be needed for rail and that this possibility would be lost if they became trails. What I have come to realize, however, is that a trail is still a publicly owned right of way and is a much better way to protect these corridors for public use than allowing the neighboring landowners to treat them as private property, putting up fences and blockages, as has occurred along the route of the Black Diamond Trail. There are no rails there now; the graded route will still be there should we need it for rail. And ownership of it will be clear.
Gail Blake At 12:43 PM 3/3/2008, you wrote: > > The most direct rail link between NYC and Seneca Meadows would > actually be through Ithaca. The railbed is even still > intact. Unfortunately it's reserved for a higher priority - the > Black Diamond Trail recreational bikeway. > _______________________________________________ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: [email protected] http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org
