Empire State Trail

In 2017, Starr Whitehouse teamed with C+G Partners and ALTA Planning + Design to create design guidelines for New York State’s ambitious Empire State Trail system, a continuous 750-mile route spanning from the urban core of New York City north to Canada and west to Buffalo. Now, Starr Whitehouse has been retained with Bergmann as Engineer of Record to design and implement the first six gateways for the new system. Located in Manhattan, Syracuse, Rochester, Lockport, Tonawanda, and Buffalo, each Gateway reflects the local character of its host community and provides New Yorkers with the opportunity to explore the state’s iconic landscapes and diverse history. The Gateways also enhance access points to the trail, transforming them into vibrant social spaces with small gathering areas and amenities such as benches, restrooms, potable water, information kiosks, bike repair, and charging stations. Native plant palettes provide visual interest as well as habitat for local and migratory animal and insect life. Lauded by Gov. Cuomo, the Trail will protect native ecosystems and drive economic activity. Upon its completion in 2020, the corridor will be the longest multi-use state trail in the nation.