The funds will benefit Harriman State Park and the Adirondack Rail Trail
New York recently awarded $1 million in grants for projects at two of the state’s premier outdoor recreation destinations.
State officials awarded the grants to the Open Space Institute (OSI) to complete significant projects at the popular Reeves Meadow Trail Network in Harriman State Park and the Adirondack Rail Trail in Lake Placid.
Reeves Meadow Trail Network Restoration Project
OSI was awarded $675,000 to support improvements along 2.3 miles of trail between the Reeves Meadow Visitor Center and Pine Meadow Lake in Harriman State Park. Just an hour’s drive from the center of Manhattan, Harriman attracts more than 1.4 million visitors annually, with the Reeves Meadow Visitor Center serving as the southern gateway into the park.
The total $1.5 million project includes resurfacing the trail, installing new wayfinding signage, improving drainage to prevent erosion and protect sensitive wildlife habitat, and rebuilding four pedestrian bridges damaged by Hurricane Irene in 2011.
Construction for the project is expected to begin in fall 2026 and conclude in fall 2027.
Adirondack Rail Trail: Lake Placid Trailhead
OSI was also awarded $300,000 toward its construction of a new trailhead and parking area for the Adirondack Rail Trail.
The Adirondack Rail Trail is a 34-mile, multi-use corridor connecting Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake, offering year-round recreation for cyclists, walkers, skiers, and snowmobilers. After five years of construction, the trail was officially completed and opened to the public last October.
The OSI-designed and managed project includes a pavilion; ADA-compliant restrooms; a parking area with more than 40 spaces, including EV charging stations; and a stormwater runoff management system. OSI will also install new signage, bike racks, bike repair tools, and eco-friendly lighting.
Construction of the $1.9 million project is expected to begin in spring 2026 and be completed by fall 2026.
