Since starting as a freshman this year, Nathan Johnson’s son rides his bicycle to Cornwall High School nearly every day from his home in Meadowbrook on the opposite side of Rt. 94 adjacent to Kristi Babcock Memorial Park. Existing roadways present unnecessary risks, but Johnson is seeking assistance to construct a safer, designated walking and biking path.

“It could transform our local culture, encourage active transportation, and create a healthier future for our children,” said Johnson, who is medically trained and board certified in lifestyle medicine. “Imagine how many more students could gain from the physical and mental health benefits associated with walking or biking to school if the journey were safer.”

Johnson cites a number of physical and mental health benefits from biking or walking on a daily basis such as reducing the risk of obesity and improving cardiovascular health. According to a 2014 report by the National Center for Safe Routes to School, children who walk or bike to school maintain a higher level of physical activity throughout the day compared to those who travel by car or bus.

“A path could build an entire generation of healthier adults in our community,” said Johnson.

To accomplish this goal, Johnson believes it would entail working with the Open Space Institute which is the process of working on a 10-mile connection to the Heritage Trail which will include a trail from the high school to Storm King Art Center.

Johnson reached out to New Windsor Supervisor Steve Bedetti, Town of Cornwall Supervisor Josh Wojehowski, and high school principal Kathryn Wilhelm.

Bedetti said the Town of New Windsor is not against lending support and being involved in future discussions with the Town of Cornwall and the Cornwall Central School District, but did offer some possible issues with seeing this plan come to fruition.

The main challenge is getting to Rt. 94, because the area is surrounded by private property, as well as a large amount of DEC wetlands, and the other is actually crossing the major thoroughfare and where such a crossing would be placed. An old rail bed currently exists and could be used to reach Rt. 94. Bedetti also questioned whether creating a crossing would require hiring a crossing guard to make sure students reach the opposite side safely.

Bedetti walked the area and suggested meeting with Johnson to further discuss already existing trails. In the meantime, Johnson established an online petition, located at change.org, which already has nearly 200 signatures in support of the idea.