Schenectady & Vicinity Trail Signage Comments &
Improvements
August 11, 2003
June
2, 2003
From
Steve Marsh, ECOS
Could we include signage for the Scotia section of the trail too? It is a valid section and is shown on the maps. I think that at one point Friends had discussed describing the Schenectady section as the urban/cultural route and the Scotia section as the suburban/riverfront route. We're probably talking on the order of about ten signs for that section in both directions.
I'd be grateful if such signs would be included, and would volunteer to help put them up if signs were allotted to the Scotia section.
July 9, 2003
From Howard Halstead
I just wanted to clarify that there is a signed route through the City of Schenectady. I have verified that the signs exist in both directions, but slightly different route due to Washington Ave is a one-way street. Due to traffic laws and political reasons, the signed route doesn't match the route used by local bicyclists. Most riders use Nott Street, Front Street (some use the Riverside Park path), and Washington Ave. This avoids traffic issues on State Street and is more pleasant along the Mohawk River instead of Union Street.
Of course, this brings me back to the removal of the Nott Street bridge. The official route continues to North Jay Street. In short:
1- The section of the trail from Nott Street to North Jay has become less used.
2- The City wants to routine to include the Union Street entrance to the stockade on Erie Blvd.
3- One Front Street association would like the route to include them, yet the other association is concerned about all the high speed cyclists using the path along the Mohawk River.
4-
Some issues exist with one-way roads and if we are allowed to
have a signed route that is counter to the traffic flow.
Also, let's not forget the City of Schenectady Urban Bike Route Master Plan.
That describes a route through the City of Schenectady. I have it posted at:
http://www.geocities.com/mhbway/schenectady.htm
Also, I was confused about the statement: There is no signage where the path resumes beyond Lock 8
I think we had signage out to Rotterdam Jct. Then we had the Scrafford Lane crossing closed and that caused Schenectady County to put up some Dead End signs. Does this mean that the signed route should be going down Route 5S?
For the section of the trail to the West of the City of Schenectady, I would suggest involving Steve Feeney in the Schenectady County planning department. He has been a major supporter of the bike trail in Schenectady County!
I would think that The Friends of the MHBHT would be a good resource for any routine planning through the City of Schenectady.
July 17, 2003
From Lou Rossi
TODAY"S STORY. I
went out for an easy ride today. Parked at Niskayuna Depot; rode to Rexford on
path, crossed River, rode to Crescent/Waterford, back through Cohoes to path
and return on path. At intersection of Manor Rd and Pathway, I met a couple
with 2 young boys riding West. On a 4-person tandem no less! They were from
Baldwinsville and totally lost. Were looking for camping spot and bike shop. I
gave them best advice I could, which was to stop and ask Lock Attendant at Lock
7. I said it might be possible to camp at Lock 7; need to ask. Or, perhaps the
locktender could give advice. I said closest on-route bike shop was at
Freeman's Bridge, and tried to describe how to find it. Not easy with no signs.
Then I rode ahead back to Niskayuna Depot. I decided to wait at the Depot and
give them a copy of my book (had some in my truck) so we stopped and chatted a
second time. They had biked from Baldwinsville up SEAWAY TRAIL, across to
Rouses Point, South on Bike 9, and had just hit 600 miles on odometer. Awesome!
Major point of discussion was absence of useful information along Canalway.
As I have said over-and-over, plan should be to install INFO KIOSKS roughly
every 10 miles.We have to stop talking about this and start doing.
We are working on it. Trailhead kiosks and directional signs are part of every new trail project. By the end of this year we have about six new kiosks in Montgomery County and two new kiosks in Monroe County.
Next year, about 8 new kiosks will be installed. Its just that we haven't done any projects yet in the area that these people covered (although new kiosks have just been installed at the Waterford and Mechanicville waterfronts) We will have to go back and install kiosks in places where the trail is already complete, such as the M-H trail though.
As far as bike shop and other business info, that is best left to brochures and other publications as it changes so quickly.
July 18, 2003
From Rich Harris
As the former Niskayuna Town Planner, I am pleased to let you know that just before I left the Town (Feb. 2001), they received approval on a CW/CA Bond Act grant for the installation of a rest station and info/historical kiosk at the Niskayuna Train Station/Lions Park (Niskayuna Depot). They have begun work on the rest rooms, as you probably noticed. I am not sure on the status of the kiosk or the final wording of info the kiosk will contain. Hopefully, others along the route have applied/received/planned similar projects.