JAMESTOWN – A new stretch of the greater Jamestown Riverwalk opened Friday during a ceremonial ribbon cutting for a new blacktop bike and pedestrian path.
The construction of the 10-foot-wide path along the Chadakoin River spans from West 8th Street to Clifton Avenue.
“It’s a beautify addition to the greater Jamestown Riverwalk,” said Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi. “This piece of it we are keeping in its pristine natural state, unlike the other segments downtown that are going to be a little more active recreationally.”
Mayor Teresi said the idea originated decades ago with a letter to city hall.
“Going back 44 years with a young high school student named Cindy Hedberg who suggested the idea to then Mayor Stan Lundine; and having my good friend, Mayor Lundine, Congressman Lundine, Lt. Governor Lundine here dedicating the path with the family of Cindy Hedberg-Sorenson, it didn’t get any better than that,” said Teresi.
A new scenic overlook across from McCrea Point was also constructed part of the $525,162 put into the trail system.
Officials said half of the money was from a New York State Department of State’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Grant; the other half matched by city tax payers.
The new addition also features parking areas at both ends of the path, decorative lighting, access paths to Chadakoin Park and placement of benches, picnic tables and trash cans.
City Resident Ronald Migliore rode his bicycle on the new pathway moments after the ribbon was cut, he said the ride was perfect.
“The trail is an excellent trail,” said Migliore. “The riding on it was smooth, no rough parts on it and it was a nice comfortable ride.
In order to receive the grant crews had to migrate 30 years of city leaves that began decomposition where the path is today.
They also had to implement an Invasive Species Management program to control the Japanese Knotweed and Amur honeysuckle along the pathway.
The path runs along the Chadakoin River over the former J&W Rail Road.
