Folks,

It ain't over yet ... News 12 and Newsday both had articles in the last week which have Rocky Point residents providing their nimby opinions as to why the trail should not be created. They only have to reach one or two individuals in power to negate years of hard work. Currently there is no deadline for comments so please promote this trail as Long Island needs it.

The Comment Sheet (desired by DOT) attached below, was available at the club's General Meeting. The form can be either mailed or scanned and sent via email to the addresses on the form.

Here's two samples that you might want to copy and edit to provide your own input:

Sample 1:

As a member of the cycling community I would like to submit my reasons for continuing to establish the Port Jefferson – Wading River Rails to Trails Path.I would like to point out that Long Island is far behind many localities in NYS and the United States in establishing multi-use paved trails. These trails benefit residents in both their health and welfare. Exercise, without doubt, has been shown to have a positive effect on the health and longevity of individuals.What better way to exercise than to provide a path which is an outdoor facility that promotes multiple community access. My own experience of riding on the multiple trails has shown me that these trails also benefit localities both in commerce and community growth. Households living along the trail, as well astravelers, will begin to use the trail as access to the town facilities, shopping and school, rather than using their cars and buses.

In regard to local Rocky Point complaints regarding loss of privacy I would like to point out that the current LIPA right-of-way is now totally un-controlled in regard to access by any individuals and the fact that it is “too quiet” an area probably leads to more access by undesirable individuals. I'm sure that as time goes by  that more and more households will put gates from their rear yard fences out onto the trail to facilitate their owners access to the trail.

Sample 2:

 As a casual bike rider and hiker I would like to submit my reasons for continuing to establish the Port Jefferson – Wading River Rails to Trails Path.  It is veryobvious to the casual bike rider that riding on Long Island roads can be very hazardous. Having a multi-use trail promotes cycling for both adults and children as a safe form of exercise and transportation.  As a hiker, who enjoys the Greenway trail from Port Jefferson Station to Setauket, I look forward to having another quiet walkway that many others would also enjoy.  I’m sure that if there were more off-road paved trails on Long Island, bicycles would be used more often for exercise, commutation and shopping.  The fact that this trail would provide access to multiple towns along the north shore would then be a boon to these communities.  Mass transit for local travel is virtually non-existent in this area and this trail can help to alleviate this problem.

It is important to note that the current LIPA right-of-way is presently uncontrolled and can be accessed by any individual at any time.  Paving this public trail would actually reduce use by undesirable individuals as it would become an open cleared area with long sight lines. Another point to consider is that there is documentation in the public domain that indicates that having a paved trail like this close to one’s home will increase the value of the property, and make the property more desirable. The people of Rocky Point will gain more than they will lose.