Community Initiatives

Local Complete Streets Policies

Four municipalities in Orange County have passed their own municipal level Complete Streets policies: 

  1. The Village of Warwick
  2. The City of Port Jervis
  3. The City of Newburgh
  4. Town of Chester

Local Projects

Warwick Walks

Warwick Walks is a 1 ½ mile walking loop designed to enhance the health and vibrancy the Warwick community. Created by a partnership between the Village of Warwick, St. Anthony Community Hospital, and Orange County Health and Planning Departments, the scenic loop winds its way through downtown Warwick; encouraging both residents and visitors to take a healthy stroll.

Map of Warwick Walks Loop

Port Jervis Fitness Loop

The Port Jervis Fitness Loop is a 2.25 mile long loop designated as a Healthy Orange Trail and marked with oval white signs every quarter mile. 

Map of Port Jervis Fitness Loop

Port Jervis Bike Repair Station

Orange County Planning and Health Departments, together with the Port Jervis Free Library and Port Jervis Outdoor Club, installed a public-use bicycle service station near the campground area of Elks Brox Park. The Dero Fixit station features all of the materials needed to perform basic bike repairs and maintenance. Attached by stainless steel cables are a number of tools, including screwdrivers, wrenches, and two tire levers. Adjacent to the station is a heavy-duty air pump. You can change a flat tire, adjust the brakes and gears, or fix a wobbly seat. The library’s bicycle service station is free for anyone to use.

Picture of a Bike Repair Station in Port Jervis

Orange County’s First Bicycle Garden, Horizons‐on‐the‐Hudson Elementary School Newburgh NY

On Monday June 5, 2023, Orange County would proudly unveil its first Bicycle Garden, a colorful series of miniature streets that allow children to learn the rules of the road in a new and exciting way. Located in Newburgh, NY, an area where 30% of its residents do not have access to a car, this experience would allow the youngest generation to get a head start in riding along roundabouts, crosswalks and intersections using bicycles.

This idea began in 2020 while drafting the Bicycle Action Plan, which surveyed the public’s top places and routes for creating a bicycle network in Newburgh. From here, the idea for a bicycle garden to raise confidence in navigating signs and streets was born. The project team worked with school officials, including then‐principal Rob Glowacki and Assistant Principal Karriem Rahaman‐Bunce to reimagine an unused parking lot near the gymnasium to design and install a bicycle garden. 

With the help of artists Ed Manner and appearance Trevor Cortes‐Lozado, and local engineering firm Creighton Manning, this unused parking lot would transform into a colorful and interactive streetscape for the students of Horizons‐on‐the‐ Hudson. Creighton Manning provided the important base components as displayed on the left, and Ed and Trevor included the colorful and engaging additions. Adjacent to the bike garden are posters that outline the basics of bicycle safety, designed by graphic designer Hael V. Stewart‐Fisher. Currently, this Bike Garden is reserved for HOH students, but public access may be available during scheduled events. 

This project is part of a public health initiative called Creating Healthy Schools and Communities (CHSC), a five‐year grant effort to reduce risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases in high need communities In Orange County. In a largely car‐dependent society, it is important to raise awareness of healthier transportation options, such as bicycling and walking. Orange County is one of many areas around the world that is developing Complete Streets, which are streets that are accessible to all users, not just automobiles. 

Gillian Matos, Principal of Horizons‐on‐the‐Hudson School remarked: “Challenging and Creative play, contribute to children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development. The Bicycle Garden is a safe learning and play space that will help HOH students move better and safer within the city and engage in active transportation, as well as encourage healthy behavior and allow for improved access to the amenities of their community.”

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Community Outreach

Bike Month 2019 Outreach Event

Orange County Planning and Transportation Council staff tabled in May 2019 at the Goshen Farmer’s Market to increase awareness about Bike Safety. Staff provided educational materials and held a public participation event to gather input on where people bike in Orange County.  Participants were asked to draw where they enjoy biking, identify locations for possible improvements, and were encouraged to leave comments on post-it notes.

Thank you to the local bike shop, Joe Fix Its, for providing demonstration helmets and bike lights.

Image of table, including bike helmet provided by Joe Fix Its

Image of Orange County Planning Department Staff at Goshen Farmer's Market, May 2019

The following map shows the results of the public participation event:

May 2019 Goshen Farmer's Market Event - Map of Results

Thank you to all participants! OC Planning Staff look forward to holding more outreach events in the future.