Taconic State Parkway Corridor Management Plan

The Final Plan was published by DOT and should be available from them.

The New York - New Jersey Trail Conference is a member of the advisory committee developing the corridor management plan and is providing the following information as a public service. Please fill out the Questionaire.

The TSP is creating a management plan for retaining and/or enhancing the character of the road. Significant sections of the road go through parks where we maintain trails as well as being used to reach these and other trails. The Trail Conference is represented on this committee and is open to suggestions that can be made at their meetings. Some issues are:

• Hiker safety at trail crossings
• Viewshed protection (including cell towers, power lines, etc.)
• Trails in the highway corridor (both hiking and multi-use)

Public Information Meetings

Vision Statement - Oct. 5, 1998 Version

The Taconic State Parkway is a unique, scenic, and historic parkway which has, in the past, served as an important transportation and recreation corridor. The parkway serves this purpose today and will continue to do so in the future.

As the Taconic State Parkway continues to serve transportation and recreation needs for all users in the future, the parkway's historic character--and scenic, natural, and cultural landscape through which it passes--should be managed, enhanced and appropriately stewarded to preserve its beauty.

In addition to being an important resource for all residents of and visitors to New York State, the Taconic State Parkway is an integral part of the local and regional identity of towns and villages adjoining the parkway corridor.

Goals

• Identify concrete methods to accomplish the vision for parkway corridor preservation and stewardship.
• Partner effectively with local communities to improve, regional and tourist access to the parkway.
• Increase traveller services on the parkway or adjacent, to include park and ride lots, rest stops and information on services nearby.
• Inventory, prioritize and appropriately steward the surrounding environment including open and recreational land.
• Integrate and link the parkway to railroad stations, commuter park and ride lots, bicycle and pedestrian trails as well as to park and recreation resources.
• Enhance parkway safety while protecting and managing the landscape of the parkway corridor.
• Manage the parkway vegetation with an ongoing planting program and the opening of scenic views.
• Increas public awareness of the history and diverse natural and cultural resources of and along the parkway. Provide driver information in the form of signs, brochures and maps located at pull-offs and community and public facilities.
• Protect the larger landscape of the corridor based on incentives, such as easements and overlay zones, in addition to regulations.
• Recognize the parkway as a destination unto itself for its recreational and scenic values.
• Retain the parkway's historic grading and alignment in relation to the adjacent landscape.
• Create a uniform language of design elements including signage, which reflects the history and evolution of the parkway.
• Scope projects along the parkway to be environmentally friendly and sustainable.
• Scope projects along the parkway to minimize required maintenance
• Work with the four counties and neighboring communities to integrate the scenic areas beyond the parkway corridor into local planning and developement review including the SEQR process.
• Improve access to adjacent recreational and cultural resources, including parks and historic sites.
• Recognize the sharing of responsibilites among the NYSDOT, the counties and local communities ineffectively managing the parkway corridoe and its scenic qualities.
• Encourage local municipalities to adopt the Taconic State Parkway Corridor Management Plan as a guideline for future community change.

Last updated: 06/16/02