To the Editor:

Historic Altamont is pleased to share two exciting community initiatives taking place this June.

First, construction is set to begin on the much-anticipated Community Trail Hub Kiosk [“Historic Altamont aims to preserve a ‘green belt’ around the Victorian village,” The Altamont Enterprise, Dec. 5, 2024].

Local contractor Jacob Rice of JGR Builders will break ground the morning of Monday, June 23, at 105 Park Street, right across from the Altamont Post Office.

This new kiosk will highlight the Long Path, a major regional trail managed by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. Stretching from the George Washington Bridge in New York City to the Adirondack Park, the Long Path connects some of New York’s most scenic and historic landscapes.

Its recent extension from Thacher Park into the heart of Altamont links our village to this broader hiking network. The kiosk is designed to serve both as a welcoming waypoint for hikers and a central landmark for the community, encouraging outdoor recreation while inviting visitors to explore local shops, restaurants, and Altamont’s historic charm.

The project was made possible through a partnership with Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy and the Albany County Legislature, with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act.

The village of Altamont has generously contributed reclaimed bluestone that served as village sidewalks over a century ago, a grounded connection to the footsteps of generations past.

A public bench and landscaping are also planned, with further enhancements possible through the Michele L. Vennard Hospitality Grant Program of the Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau Fund, administered by the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region.

We warmly invite residents and supporters to stop by on the morning of June 23, at 8 a.m., to help us kick off this exciting addition to our central village.

Second, Historic Altamont invites community members to a Trail Planning Community Open House as part of our ongoing efforts to promote and protect the region’s unique natural environment.

We are seeking public input on eight proposed projects that will form the Altamont Trail Network, an initiative to connect communities, and natural resources throughout the village of Altamont, the town of Guilderland, and Albany County.

The open house will take place on Thursday, June 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Masonic Temple Noah Lodge at 138 Maple Avenue. The evening will begin with a brief project overview and summary of identified trail priorities, followed by an interactive session with maps and draft concepts. Trail planning consultants from LaBella Associates will also be on hand to participate.

Community input is essential to shaping a trail network that reflects local priorities and strengthens recreational opportunities in and around Altamont. We hope you’ll join us!

For more information about these initiatives or Historic Altamont, please visit historicaltamont.org.

Dave Bourque

Debra Barnes Breitenbach

Bob Casey

Jodi Novak Wey

Officers

Historic Altamont Inc