North County Trailway

The North County Trailway is a paved bicycle and pedestrian path located primarily on right-of-way lands of the former Putnam Division of the New York Central Railroad. The Trailway runs 22.1 miles (35.6 km), from the Putnam County border down to the Eastview section of southern Greenburgh, where it nears the South County Trailway. The County of Westchester intends to construct a paved off-road path for connection to the South County Trailway, which will require negotiation with New York State (which owns the land on which the trail will have to be located). The current target date for construction is 2013.

The North County Trailway, which is completely paved, runs 22.1 miles to its northern terminus at the Westchester County border with Putnam County at Rt 118 near Rt 6. At this northern end the Putnam County Trail begins just across Rt 118. This trail travels some 12.0 miles, first north and then east and south through Putnam County to Brewster. Approximately 11 miles of this Putnam trail is completed. The final mile section is scheduled to be completed by 2012 bringing it to the Brewster Metro North Station and a convenient return to New York City's Grand Central Terminal after a day of riding the combined trails of the South, North and Putnam County Trailways. (Note: For train travel with a Bike a permit is required: available at Grand Central).

There is a short section routed on the shoulder of New York State Route 100 between Millwood and Briarcliff Manor and another within Briarcliff Manor where Route 100 meets State Route 9A. A spur at Eastview leads west to a mile-long paved path along the south shore of the Tarrytown Lakes Reservoir. The North County Trailway is the central part of a 90 miles (140 km) countywide rail trail system.

The Putnam Railroad provided freight and passenger service from 1881 to 1958 between the Bronx and Putnam County. The “Old Put,” as it was fondly called by commuters, once served 23 stations in Westchester. One of those still standing today is the Tudor-revival style Briarcliff Manor Station, now used as a public library. Other former stations can be found along the trailway in Millwood and in Railroad Park in Yorktown Heights. Historic marker plaques have been placed at most of the former station locations.

See also

• Putnam County Trailway

External links

• Westchester County Parks Department Information
• Bicycle Map of the North County Trailway
• The North County Trailway Homepage
• Route of the trail