Vanderbilt Cup Races

UPDATE:

Work has recently started on the next phase of The Motor Parkway Trail along Old Country Road and Salisbury Park Drive in Westbury.  Since its start in 2014, the pilot trail along Salisbury Park Drive and Eisenhower Park has been built between Stewart Avenue and Carmen Avenue and is used by joggers, walkers and bikers.  Previous posts have featured the trail along with the placement of three historical markers noting the Long Island Motor Parkway.

See current pictures that follow the original post. 

Art Kleiner

Original Post from 2014

Last Monday, New York State and Governor Andrew Cuomo announced $70 million in funding for 69 bicycle and pedestrian projects including $1.82 million for the Motor Parkway Trail.

"These projects will help communities become more walkable and bicycle friendly, as well as show off the natural beauty that exists in every corner of this state,” Governor Cuomo said. “I thank the Federal Highway Administration and our representatives for helping the state secure this funding so that residents and visitors alike can enjoy New York like never before."

The funding for the Motor Parkway Trail will enable the addition of a 1.4 mile multi-use trail segment in the heart of Nassau County.The trail segment would link existing and well utilized multi-use trails around the Nassau Hub with trails and bike lanes further east along Salisbury Park Drive. This “missing link,” once completed, would then create a continuous trail system stretching more than 10 miles.

On June 3, 2014, on behalf of the Long Island Motor Parkway Presevation Society, I provided the below letter in support of this funding.

Enjoy,

Howard Kroplick

__________________________________________________________________________________________

June 3, 20014

Joan McDonald, Commissioner

New York State Department of Transportation

50 Wolf Road

Albany, NY12232

LI Motor Parkway Multi-Use Trail:  Old Country Road – Salisbury Park Drive Segment

Dear Commissioner McDonald:

I am writing you to express the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society’s strong support of Nassau County’s efforts, specifically the Department of Public Works, to secure funding from the 2014 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) solicitation offered through the New York State Department of Transportation.As president of this 225-member organization, we strongly support this plan to honor the first road built exclusively for automobiles and to offer practical and fun transportation options on this historic route.

I understand that this funding will be used to greatly assist in implementing the Long Island Motor Parkway Trail vision with the addition of a 1.4 mile multi-use trail segment in the heart of Nassau County.The trail segment would link existing and well utilized multi-use trails around the Nassau Hub with trails and bike lanes further east along Salisbury Park Drive.This “missing link,” once completed, would then create a continuous trail system stretching more than 10 miles.

Moreover, our understanding is that the proposed 1.4 mile “missing link” of the LI Motor Parkway Multi-Use Trail would include an Old Country Road to Salisbury Park Drive segment, thereby creating a contiguous pedestrian and bicycle trailway from the Nassau Hub to the historic Hamlet of Levittown.The contiguous trailway will then be able to link a concentrated mix of educational, cultural, professional office retail and entertainment land uses with single-family residential neighborhoods.Ultimately, linking residential neighborhoods to employment and commercial centers by way of non-motorized transportation infrastructure will reduce greenhouse gas emission, reduce transportation costs and promote a healthy lifestyle; goals our organization fully support.

Nassau County has adopted the Motor Parkway Trail Vision Plan to restore and enhance important transportation connections through Nassau County, but this time for pedestrians and bicyclists. The restored Long Island Motor Parkway Trail and the construction of this “missing link” will provide important alternative transportation infrastructure that will enhance the quality of life for the residents of Nassau County and support local and regional economic development goals.  On behalf of the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society and as Town Historian of the Town of North Hempstead, I hope that you will give this application your full consideration. 

Enjoy,

Howard Kroplick

President, Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society

Town Historian, Town of North Hempstead