William J. Kemble is reporting for the Daily Freeman the Rhinebeck Town Board has approved a contract for just under $43,000 with Alta Planning and Design to study the options for creating a pedestrian trail from the Rhinecliff train station to the Starr Library. Town Supervisor Elizabeth Spinzia said there is money in the town budget to start developing a plan. The proposal calls for a roughly 2.2-mile trail from Shatzell Avenue in Rhinecliff to county Route 85, or Rhinecliff Road, to Traver Lane. From there sidewalks connect to the village of Rhinebeck, and the trail network at Thompson-Mazzarella Park, which is just down Traver Lane from the library. Alta will conduct topographic and right-of-way research, as well as detailed field work to identify three feasible alternative plans. The contractor will also conduct stakeholder meetings and public outreach. The proposed trail would be part of a series of pedestrian walkways located within the town of Rhinebeck. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.