Murphy announces Greenway Grant for FDR Park trail system

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY - The town of Yorktown has been awarded a Hudson River Valley Greenway Grant, Senator Terrence Murphy announced today. The grant supports the ongoing effort to build a trailway connection from the North County Trailway in Railroad Park to FDR State Park.

"I love our parks" Senator Murphy, who was born and raised in Yorktown, said. "Growing up I knew FDR Park as Mohansic Park. Connecting the North County Trailway to FDR Park would enhance the recreational benefits Yorktown has to offer."

When Murphy brought his legislative update to Yorktown earlier this week, he spent time addressing the three Consolidated Funding Applications (CFAs) that Yorktown submitted to the Regional Economic Development Council. One such application was a $400,000 request for the trail connection project. In addition to the CFA, the town also applied for a grant through the Hudson River Valley Greenway. This state agency was created in 1991 by the Greenway Act which now encompasses 264 communities within 13 counties that border the Hudson River. On Friday, Yorktown was awarded $7,500 to start clearing the right of way in preparation of the trailway connection.

"This announcement is a positive first step in our efforts to connect two of our town's beautiful parks," Supervisor Michael Grace said. "We remain confident in our CFA which has made it to the next round of reviews within the REDC process."

"We are grateful for every opportunity to approve our park and trail system," Yorktown Councilman Tom Diana said. "While this is only the first step of a larger project, residents will see a vast improvement to FDR."

In 2010 the Hudson River Valley Greenway gave Yorktown a $4,500 grant to further the town's trail link project. This 50-50 matching grant was part of the town's efforts to create a 12-mile trail network.

"Yorktown's efforts to preserve and advance its park system is a model for the Hudson Valley Region," Senator Murphy added. "I applaud Supervisor Grace and his entire administration on today's good news."