October - December 2025
During the fourth quarter, outreach conducted from April through September was completed, including surveys, tabling events, focus groups and work sessions.
Advisory Committee Meeting #3 was held on October 3rd to review draft goals, recommendations, outreach findings and draft maps, as well as collect feedback through a priority project survey. The meeting had approximately 15 participants from municipalities, educational institutions, and special-interest groups to understand additional areas of focus for the Plan.
In November, MUD Workshop hosted additional meetings to review draft recommendations with municipalities and other key stakeholders, This will enable MUD Workshop to refine these draft recommendations and design guidelines based on community input, Planning staff also attended a Sullivan 180 Health Generation event to gather school-based input.
July - September 2025
During the third quarter, Master Plan progress continued through extensive community outreach and stakeholder engagement. Planning staff, with the help of MUD Workshop, attended festivals and markets across the County, with Bagel Fest in Monticello serving as the largest event. Other events attended included various Farmers Markets, Borsch Belt Historical Marker Project in Loch Sheldrake, Callicoon County Fair, Grahamsville Little World's Fair in Neversink, Sullivan O&W BowWo&W at Dogpatch Town Park in South Fallsburg, and tabling at Lake Superior State Park in Bethel.
The community outreach survey officially closed as of September 5th, and received approximately 570 responses. Responses primarily consisted of adult Sullivan County residents, who, while largely having access to a personal vehicle, are generally interested in increasing their use of walking and cycling for transportation. While the survey is now closed, the Connect With Us page remains available for questions or comments regarding the development of the Master Plan.
The final focus group was completed and additional work sessions were conducted with NYSDOT and other community partners to explore the more technical aspects of mobility improvements in their organizations.
Additionally, Sullivan County Planning staff welcomed discussions regarding bicycle and pedestrian projects within the community. These efforts included:
Conversations with ICF Consulting/Commuter Link to support a NYSERDA Clean Mobility grant application for a micro-mobility feasibility study and demonstration project, assessing e-bike options and bike storage at key locations
Discussions with the Town of Delaware to support an Upper Delaware Council Technical Assistance grant application for a crosswalk study in the center of the hamlet of Callicoon
June 2025
During the second quarter, significant progress was made on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. Community outreach continued, including promotion of a county-wide community survey through in-person outreach, news media and social media as well as attending tabling events at local fairs and festivals to raise awareness and encourage participation. Events attended included the Chamber of Commerce First Friday Breakfast at New Hope Community in Loch Sheldrake, and the Monticello Farmers Market.
The MUD Workshop team led eight focus group sessions with municipalities, schools, police, community groups, and tourism partners, helping inform the plan around access to work, school, community safety and ongoing local initiatives.
May 2025
To celebrate National Bicycle Safety Month and Global Youth Traffic Safety Month, Sullivan County is rolling out a fun, interactive Community Survey! Whether you walk, bike, or just enjoy getting outside, we want to hear from you. Pin your favorite spots on the map, upload photos, and share your thoughts on how to make walking and biking safer and more accessible across the County. The survey is quick, easy, and will be open from May through September 2025 — So don’t forget to fill it out and share it with coworkers, friends and family!
April 2025
On April 25th, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee held their second meeting and discussed existing conditions including the rural conditions, transportation networks, activity centers, socioeconomic conditions and stakeholder conversations and started a visioning workshop discussing important locations in Sullivan County.
Additional themes that emerged include:
- Sullivan County has a robust, but disconnected network of existing and planned rail trails
- The County is a popular tourist destination with hundreds of local businesses that can support localized bike and pedestrian infrastructure, but may lack sufficient activities and destinations to support biking and walking on a larger scale.
- Concern over high capital and investment cost to install additional infrastructure and maintain what we currently have
We had a blast at SUNY Sullivan County Community College in Loch Sheldrake during two exciting tabling events! On April 24, at SCCC Earth Day, we chatted with Ellenville students, New Hope residents, and college students about how Active Transportation supports a greener future. Then, on April 29, we kept the momentum going at the SCCC Government Showcase, promoting the Bike and Ped Master Plan Community Survey to students and staff as part of our ongoing outreach efforts.
On April 10th and 11th, we conducted seven additional focus groups, bringing the total to eight.
- On April 10th, we met Highway Superintendents (Fallsburg, Mamakating and Village of Woodridge), municipal Supervisors and Staff (Liberty, Thompson and Village of Ateres) community organizations (Sullivan O&W Rail Trail Alliance, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County, Sullivan 180, and the Upper Delaware Council/Scenic Byway), and the Sullivan County Division of Public Works and Solid Waste (represented by Commissioner Edward McAndrew).
- On April 11th, we met with local police departments (Fallsburg, Village of Liberty, Village of Monticello, Sullivan County sheriffs, and State sheriffs), educational institutions (SUNY SCCC, Liberty and Monticello Central School Districts) and tourism and business leaders (Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce and the Sullivan County Visitors Association)
March 2025
As part of the Master Plan development, approximately 10 stakeholder focus groups will be conducted, offering key stakeholders the opportunity to provide one-on-one input directly to the consultant. The first session took place on March 24, with Sullivan County Division of Community Resources and Workforce Development Board of Sullivan Inc., represented by Commissioner Laura Quigley and Director Lise-Anne Deoul.
February 2025
On February 4, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee held its first official meeting. Members reviewed the project timeline and logistics, and participated in a “Pass the Mic” activity to discuss key issues and opportunities related to biking and walkability throughout Sullivan County.
Key takeaways included:
- The importance of safely connecting everyday destinations—such as schools, parks, and business centers—through biking and walking paths, with a focus on identifying and prioritizing key locations.
- A need to share and implement best practices for both main street improvements and for recreational trail development where it connects with communities.
- Balancing the expansion of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure with the preservation of the County’s rural character and landscape.
- Encouraging stronger community collaboration across municipal boundaries to support cohesive planning and implementation.
- A clear demand for education initiatives focused on safe driving and biking practices for all road users
January 2025
Sullivan County’s Division of Planning finalized a contract with Metropolitan Urban Design (MUD) Workshop to launch the Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. This plan will complement the Sullivan County Resiliency Plan, 'Resilient Sullivan', that was completed in 2024 and focused on addressing emerging challenges facing the county from the perspective of the economy, the community, and the environment.
May 2024
On May 29th, America Walks hosted an Advisory Committee Orientation Workshop to engage potential advisory members in bicycle and pedestrian issues affecting their communities. The workshop covered key terms, policy frameworks, equity, and engagement strategies, while highlighting programs like the Walking College, Community Challenge Grants, and Active Friendly Routes to Everyday Destinations initiatives.
Orientation Presentation: Part 1
Orientation Presentation: Part 2
January 2023
Sullivan County secured funding through the NYS Climate Smart Communities Grant Program, Title 15 of the EPF through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, to cover 50% of the costs of a consultant to help develop a comprehensive, countywide pedestrian and bicycle master plan. The Plan will focus on connecting our town and village centers for residents through alternative transport to common destinations for work, school, shopping and essential services.
