To the editor:

I would like to express my opinions and concerns regarding the proposal of the ripping up the rails of the Adirondack Scenic Railroad and replacing them with the Adirondack Rail Trail.

Please don’t get me wrong: I have nothing against recreational trails, but when you decide to rip up an active, operating and growing railroad, and choose to destroy a part of history that is listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the New York State Register of Historic Places, I have a huge problem with that. My message to Adirondack Recreational Trail Advocates board is this: Not only are you destroying a piece of history, but you are also destroying all the hard work many volunteers have put into the railroad, which I’m sure you can appreciate since your organization is made up of volunteers that put a lot of hard work into what they love and do.

I’m strongly urging you to reconsider what you’re proposing and come up with a plan to build your trail alongside the railroad, and work with the railroad to bring more people to the trail. If you both work together, it can benefit both of your organizations. There has to be a better alternative to ripping up the intact and still-operating railroad instead of ripping up a piece of history that you may never get back.

Sincerely,

Nathan M. Kline

Washington, New Jersey