Politics & Government

Town Solicits Bids to Extend Kings Park Hike and Bike Trail

Extension will connect the existing bike trail down to Main Street.

Smithtown Town officials have taken the next step towards extending the Kings Park Hike and Bike Trail to reach Main Street. 

Smithtown Town Board is soliciting bids from contractors to extend the existing 1.5-mile bike trail by approximately 975 feet, from the southwest portion down to Main Street. 

The Kings Park Hike and Bike Trail was created with help of a "Rails to Trails" federal grant in 2004. The trail currently begins on Old Dock Road, approximately 300 feet east of Church Street, and runs along the former Kings Park State Hospital old railroad spur. The paved trail is used by walkers, joggers, bicyclists and by cross country skiers during winter months.

The proposed extension would connect to the southwest portion of the trail. The path would lead bicyclists, joggers and walkers behind Gaio's Auto Collision connecting to Main Street near the Kings Park Fire Department. 

The idea of extending the Kings Park Hike and Bike Trail was first raised back in 2011 by the Kings Park Civic Association to help bring bike and foot traffic into the downtown area. 

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"It will be a real asset to the community,” Lehmann told Patch.  “Families will be able to enjoy a nice day in town.”  

In addition to the trail extension, the town's plans call for 320 feet of 6-foot stockade fencing to be installed along the edges of the trail before the project begins and landscaping with various evergreen trees. 

Bids from all parties interested will be accepted by the town through Oct. 3 at 9 p.m. 

Do you use the current hike and bike trail? Would you be more likely to use it if the trail connected to Main Street? 

Find out what's happening in Kings Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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