Ayden Simpson ’25 during a trail clean-up day along the future Chenango Heritage Rail Trail.
Ever heard of a rail trail? They are trails that can span hundreds of miles across old railroad tracks and have connected people and communities for decades.
This summer, I have had the opportunity to work with the Chenango Greenway Conservancy based out of Norwich, N.Y., through IJʿ and the Upstate Institute’s Summer Field School. The rail trail committee within the Greenway aims to establish a 60-mile multi-use rail trail along the current New York Susquehanna & Western (NYS&W) railway corridor from Chenango Forks to just South of Sangerfield. The “Chenango Heritage Rail Trail”, as it’s called, would connect the communities of the Chenango Valley in a transformative way that stimulates future growth and community development, while also honoring the history of the people, river, canal, and railroads that have shaped these communities.
For the bulk of my summer project, I created various maps showing the trail network surrounding the railway corridor and different historical, commercial, and natural destinations along the line. These maps provided clarity to the project’s vision moving forward and were designed to be intuitive for the general public.
Additionally, I researched the history of this corridor and how the rail trail would fit into a larger picture of the region’s transformation over the last thousand years. My final product for the summer was somewhat untraditional – a virtual StoryMap that outlined the project’s history, current state, and future goals. Using this format, I was able to pitch the project in a concise and informative manner while also providing the Greenway with a resource that they can now use and update as they continue to build on the rail trail project.
Aside from my main rail trail project, I found myself becoming involved in many different ways during my time with the Greenway. Organizing railway clean-up days, helping maintain some of the Greenway’s already existing nature trails, and meeting with local community groups and state senators were all meaningful parts of my work. I found immense value in seeing how this nonprofit organization runs itself as well as how it works with the community. Meeting the vast network of Greenway volunteers and getting to know individuals on the committee was a privilege that I looked forward to every day.
As an aspiring urban planner and geography student, I was able to use my background in GIS and public policy to supplement this project and brush up on my skills in a real-world scenario. On top of this, I extensively improved upon my skills in community-building, project management, and communication. Gaining this level of practical experience has been an invaluable part of my summer and I am so grateful for the opportunity that the Upstate Institute has given me; the opportunity to work with an organization as great as the Chenango Greenway Conservancy as well as the opportunity to spend a summer at IJʿ.
A few years ago, I promised myself that I would spend a summer here, but I was never sure how to do it. The Upstate Institute has been a beautiful way to connect with the Upstate New York area, especially around Hamilton. I will always be grateful for this project.