Community Fights to Stop Pavement of Nature Trail in Van Cortlandt Park

For some reason the City wants to spend tax dollars to cover a nature trail in Van Cortlandt Park with asphalt. Here is a clip and information taken from the web site of a community organization fighting to prevent the action from taking place. If interested in supporting the struggle here is a link to their petition as well.

http://www.savetheputnamtrail.com/petition/

Gregory
*******




The Putnam Trail is a jewel, a treasure of nature in New York City.
The NYC Parks Department is planning major changes to the trail.

Current Parks plan will:
* Increase the width from 8 ft. to 15 ft.
* 1.5 acres of trees and natural brush will be destroyed and removed.
* The trail will be paved with asphalt.

The purpose of this campaign is to get the Putnam Trail resurfaced with a stone dust surface instead of paved asphalt and reduce the proposed width from 15ft down to 8ft. NYC Parks Department plans will double the current width of the Putnam Trail from 8ft to 15ft! The average lane on an interstate highway is 12ft. This will require the destruction of many trees and will have a detrimental effect on the wildlife, harming the natural environment and beauty of the Park. A stone dust surface still serve all the users including cyclists, walkers, runners, baby strollers, wheelchairs and more.

Park trails are meant to be user-friendly and accommodate all methods of use. We feel that the 8ft wide stone dust trail best meets the needs of all users while having the most minimal impact on the environment and will also have the lowest cost.

We ask you to support the Save the Putnam Trail campaign and ensure that the Putnam Trail stays 8ft wide and is improved with a stone dust surface.

If we stay silent on this issue one of the jewels of the Bronx and NYC will be lost forever. Please don’t let the Putnam Trail become “Putnam Road”!

OUR PLAN
1. Saves taxpayers MONEY!
2. Preserves the environment!
3. Still serves ALL users!!