MILLER PLACE, NY – On Friday, October 25th, Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker joined Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, New York State Assemblyman Steve Englebright, Town of Brookhaven Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro, local bicycle organizations and community members at the Rails to Trails recreational path groundbreaking ceremony at Pipe Stave Hollow Road in Miller Place. The path will be named the “North Shore Rail Trail” referencing its 10-mile span along the former Long Island Rail Road right-of-way, from Mount Sinai to Wading River, parallel to NYS Route 25A.
Throughout her eight years in office, Legislator Anker has facilitated the creation of the multi-use trail and has pushed legislation forward to secure grant funding for its construction.
“It’s been a long journey after waiting 50 years since the Rails to Trails Recreation Path’s original inception, but I’m happy to say we are moving forward with construction of Long Island’s most anticipated recreational project,” said Legislator Anker. “The path will not only provide a safer location to bike, walk, jog, or run in our community, it will also support our local businesses along Route 25A across my district. The hurdles that I have experienced in this process have strengthened my skills at facilitating significant community projects. In addition to overcoming many obstacles, I am proud to have brought all levels of government onboard and worked with local not-for-profit organizations and the community that will compliment an ecotourism hub in my district. Just as the railroad linked adjoining towns together increasing community unity, so will the North Shore Rail Trail which is now on track and moving full steam ahead.”
The project has received community support and support from numerous clubs and organizations, including Friends of the Greenway Trails, New York Bicycling Coalition, and Concerned Long Island Mountain Bikers (CLIMB). The Suffolk County Department of Public Works and Legislator Anker are currently working with these groups on maintenance agreements to assist in upkeep of the trail. In addition, Legislator Anker continues to seek private funding for additional privacy fencing and landscaping along the trail and looks forward to working with other organizations like the Boys and Girls Scouts for community improvement projects.
For more information, please call Legislator Anker’s office at (631) 854-1600.
Pictured L-R: Friends of the Setauket Greenway Trail Co-Founder and Trustee Herb Mones, New York State Assemblyman Steve Englebright, Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker, Town of Brookhaven Superintendent of Highways Dan Losquadro and his daughter, Wading River Resident and Trail Advocate Bruce Kagan, Miller Place Civic Association President Woody Brown, and Shoreham Village Mayor Brian Vail.