New York’s 2,000 plus-mile greenway network got even better in 2025, and there are miles of new trails in the works! As the leading advocate for New York’s parks, trails, and public spaces, PTNY was thrilled to see so many exciting projects be completed, have construction start, or have new plans undertaken.

The leading figures in making these trails happen gathered in October in Kingston, as we hosted New York’s first Statewide Greenways Conference in over 15 years. Despite an assault on funding for active transportation projects like greenway trails at the federal level, New York demonstrated an ongoing commitment to seeing these projects advance.

The Adirondack Rail Trail

The most eagerly anticipated trail to open in 2025 was undoubtedly the Adirondack Rail Trail, which saw the final segment opening in October. Today, riders can enjoy a 34-mile multi-use recreational corridor between Lake Placid and Tupper Lake, connecting charming Adirondack villages with breathtaking scenery and remote natural habitats through the center of the Adirondack Park. The trail has proven even more popular than originally anticipated, with walkers, bicyclists, skiers, snowshoers, snowmobilers and more enjoying the route in all seasons.

PTNY was excited to support our partners at the Adirondack Rail Trail Association (ARTA), awarding $150,000 from the most recent round of our Park & Trail Partnership grant program to allow the organization to create a permanent Executive Director position. Since that time, the trail has seen more than $100,000 in additional funding, including funds to add trail amenities, to support integrating the trails with adjacent communities, and for the development of a state-of-the-art trailhead and parking area in Lake Placid.

Two Major Gaps Filled in the Niagara River Shoreline Trail

A new path linking Gratwick Park in North Tonawanda to Griffin Park in the City of Niagara Falls and a new trail through the LaSalle neighborhood of Niagara Falls filled two major gaps in the Shoreline Trail, meaning it is now possible to bike from the Empire State Trail in Tonawanda to Niagara Falls State Park almost entirely on off-road paths. 

Henry W. Dubois Connector Completed in New Paltz

June marked the opening of a new 1.7-mile segment of the Empire State Trail in New Paltz, closing the largest on-road gap in the EST between Kingston and New York City. The project connected the Hudson Valley Rail Trail to the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail with an off-road sidepath, enhancing greenway connectivity and promoting outdoor recreation and active transportation. 

Two Miles of Greenway Added In Southampton

Over the summer, the Town of Southampton completed the new Hampton Bays Bike Trail, a two-mile route connecting Good Ground Park to Red Creek Park. Offering a mix of scenic off-road paths and safe on-road accommodations, the trail is designed for cyclists of all ages and skill levels.

New Bridge Connects Maybrook Trailway to Connecticut Border

The Maybrook Bikeway Bridge was opened to the public on November 7, completing the final piece of the puzzle to connect the Empire State Trail to the Connecticut state line. As of 2024, there were plans on the Connecticut side to build a new multi-use trail connecting all the way to Danbury. 

Route 9 Bike-Ped bridge Over NYS Thruway Opens in Westchester County

In July, construction was completed on a $13.9 million multi-modal project along Route 9 (South Broadway) in the Village of Tarrytown, Westchester County with its signature feature—a new 270-foot-long pedestrian/bicycle bridge over the New York State Thruway. The project extended the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge’s shared use path one-mile south to Lyndhurst Mansion.

Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail Extended in West Falls 

The Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail, Inc. resurfaced 1.2 miles of trail in West Falls. Progress on the Erie Cattaraugus Rail Trail (ECRT) also marks steps toward completion of the future 80-mile Southern Tier Trail, 27 miles of which will follow the ECRT corridor.

Cherry Avenue Trail Extension Completed in Albany County

With funding support from a NYSDOT Transportation Alternatives Program Grant, a new 1-mile multi-use path along the east side of Cherry Avenue Extension now connects the Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail with the businesses located along New Scotland Road.

Greenway Trail Studies

There are even more great trail projects in the works around the state. 2025 saw the completion of a number of studies or other preparatory efforts that will lead to great new greenway trails in the future, including:

• In August 2025, New York City released Greater Greenways: NYC Greenways Plan, outlining a plan for the expansion of greenways across the five boroughs. As part of that plan, the Harlem River Greenway Implementation Plan was released in December 2025, coinciding with the completion of a redesign of 1.8 lane miles of Bailey Avenue to include a two-way, parking protected bike lane, part of the planned route of Harlem River Greenway from Van Cortlandt Park to Randall’s Island.
• The Beacon-Hopewell Rail Trail Feasibility Study was released in October 2025, examining the potential of connecting the Empire State Trail with the Hudson River Waterfront at Beacon along a 12.5-mile former rail corridor.
• Lewis County, north of Syracuse, finalized the purchase of a 30+ mile former rail corridor through the state, with the intent to revitalize the corridor as a trail in the future.
• GObike Buffalo studied the feasibility of extending the hugely popular Peanut Line Trail into Amherst, creating a connection with the Ellicott Creek Trailway, the Empire State Trail, and the broader regional greenways network.
• One of the most popular cycling corridors in the country, along the Palisades between the George Washington Bridge and the Tappan Zee/Mario Cuomo Bridge, was studied for the feasibility of a shared use path, ensuring that cyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities can enjoy the scenic views and access to regional park assets.

We’re looking forward to even more great greenway projects advancing and opening in 2026. Projects we’re watching closely include the Long Island Greenway, Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail, Harlem Valley Rail Trail, O&W Rail Trail, Southern Tier Trail, Schunnemunk Rail Trail, Upper Hudson Rail Trail, and more.

Is there a greenway trail project you’re particularly excited or interested in the status of? Let us know- drop us a line at ptny@ptny.org, or visit www.ptny.org to find out more about supporting our work.