It is a small former two track section of the Old Putnam line of the New York Central Railroad Line, which became the CSX Railroad. Grass has grown where the train tracks once were, and this small stretch of the former Putnam Line is slated to become the final part of the Putnam Trail which will connect Manhattan and upstate.
The Putnam Trail currently ends at the southern most part of Van Cortlandt Park awaiting the purchase of this tiny parcel of land from CSX Railroad to connect to Manhattan. The city and CSX agreed to abide by an independent arbitrators value of the land, but CSX seems not willing to let the land go. U.S. Senator Charles Schumer came to the West 238th Street overpass with local elected officials and Putnam Trail activists to ask CSX Railroad to abide by the independent arbitrator's assessment of the land. One after another the local elected officials told of what this little stretch of land means to the local community.
Senator Schumer's final words were that CSX Railroad has many miles of railroad track in New York State, and that it is the federal government that regulates those miles of tracks.
Above - U.S. Senator Schumer and local elected officials standing over the final part of what should be the Putnam Trail.
Below - Congressman Adriano Espaillat has some words for CSX Railroad.
Above - Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. speaks of the importance of this path to the community.
Below - Community Board 8 Chair Rosemary Ginty tells of the long fight the community board has had to get to this point of almost acquiring the final piece of the Putnam Trail.
