Bolsters Governor Hochul’s “Get Offline, Get Outside Initiative”

To celebrate Earth Week 2026, the Hudson River Valley Greenway (HRVG) and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today held a walk and bike ride along a newly paved portion of the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail, which was funded with $2 million from the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act. The project, focused on resiliency and recreational improvements, replaced stone dust sections of the trail with an asphalt surface consistent with the rest of the trail and addressed erosion caused by stormwater runoff.

Hudson River Valley Greenway Executive Director Andy Kitzmann said, “The Albany-Hudson Electric Trail is a beautiful section of trail that brings users past woods, streams, wetlands, farmlands, and small hamlets. We’re thrilled to welcome the community back this spring with a freshly paved surface that will make walks and rides safer and more enjoyable. Thank you to Governor Hochul and DEC for funding this trail improvement project and our partners for their continued support.”

DEC Region 4 Director Sean Mahar said, “Through Governor Hochul’s leadership and investments, this Environmental Bond Act-funded trail improvement project is bolstering the resilience of this incredible community asset and enhancing outdoor recreational opportunities for New Yorkers to safely ‘Get Offline and Get Outside’ in Columbia County. DEC is proud to support this work on the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail (AHET) and commends the Hudson River Valley Greenway and all partners for advancing these important upgrades.”

The Hudson River Valley Greenway constructed and operates the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail (AHET), a 36-mile recreational “rail trail” that runs south from the Town of East Greenbush, Rensselaer County, to the Town of Greenport, Columbia County. It follows the route of a historic trolley line from 1899 to 1929 and is part of New York State’s 750-mile Empire State Trail, running from New York City to Canada and Buffalo to Albany.

Completed in 2020, most of the AHET trail had a paved asphalt surface. However, due to funding constraints, approximately 9.5 miles of the trail in Columbia County was constructed with a stone dust surface. Melting snow runoff and intense rainstorms caused repeated damage to the stone dust.

The trail improvement project began in April 2025. It included instillation of an asphalt surface to eliminate erosion, addressed trail safety concerns, established a more resilient surface for future weather events, and created a safer more enjoyable experience for trail users. Paving was completed in June. Additional site-specific drainage and safety improvements were completed in October.

Village of Kinderhook Mayor Dorene Weir said, “The Albany-Hudson Electric Trail is a precious asset to the Village of Kinderhook, providing a safe place for residents and families to walk, run, and bicycle, and attracting visitors who support our local businesses, historic sites, and farmers’ market.  We are grateful to New York State for improving this jewel through Kinderhook and other communities along the trail route.”

President of Columbia Friends of the Electric Trail Robert Hess said, “Members of the Columbia Friends of the Electric Trail (CFET) are gratified to gather with others to celebrate Earth Week. As we enter our 6th year of maintaining our section of this trail, our all-volunteer group is proud of our accomplishments in creating one of the finest sections of the Empire State Trail. Come visit our trail and the surrounding countryside. You won't be disappointed.”

Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York Paul Steely White said, “We’re grateful to gather with partners and community members to celebrate the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail as a completed and improved corridor that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy. Recent paving and surface improvements have made the trail more accessible than ever, and we look forward to marking the start of the 2026 season together and seeing the continued benefits this shared investment brings to communities along the route.”

More information about the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail is available on the Empire State Trail website, including an interactive map of the trail route, designated trailhead parking areas, and nearby visitor amenities.

Learn more about Governor Hochul’s Get Offline, Get Outside campaign designed to encourage New York’s children and families to put down their phone and computers, take a break from social media, enjoy recreation and outdoor social gatherings, and out their mental health and physical health first.

The Hudson River Valley Greenway is a unique State-sponsored program that partners with communities and nonprofits to advance projects and initiatives that result in natural and cultural resource protection, regional and local planning, economic development, public access to the Hudson River, and heritage and environmental education.

Photos attached: 

DEC and the Hudson River Valley Greenway hold a walk-bike ride to celebrate improvements to the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail in Columbia County.  

State and local representatives ride along the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail in Columbia County to celebrate freshly paved sections of the trail focused on resilience.  

During Earth Week 2026, DEC and the Hudson River Valley Greenway invite the Columbia County community to a walk and bike ride event along a newly paved section of the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail.  

DEC, the Hudson River Valley Greenway, and local leaders in Columbia County celebrate Earth  Week 2026 with a walk and bike ride event along a newly paved stretch of the Albany-Hudson Electric Trail in Kinderhook.