The Vanderbilt Cup Races

For several years many Long Island groups have been trying to preserve the right-of way of the Long Island Motor Parkway and create a greenway and recreational trail called the "Long Island Motor Parkway". These groups include; the Long Island Motor Parkway Panel led by Sam Berliner, Pedal Pushers Online, Parks and Trails New York and C.L.I.M.B. led by Michael Vitti.

In November 2004, 77% of Nassau County voters approved a referendum to authorize the issuance of $50 million bonds to fund an Environmental Program to preserve open space, preserve working farms, improve parks throughout the county, clean up brownfields and protect waterways.

In November 2005, Nassau County announced the proposed uses for the bond. Due to the efforts of the above groups and many other concerned residents, a total of $450,000 was allocated to explore the viability of of a "Long Island Motor Parkway Trailway".

The project description is as follow:

This project entails the preparation of a master plan for the preservation of the entire route of the Long Island Motor Parkway (Vanderbilt Parkway), a historic roadway that could become a valuable greenbelt and recreational trail. This project also includes the installation of route and historic signs, and construction of the initial phase of the master plan. Nassau County will fund cleaning of greenways.

Last week, Nassau County published the current status of the bond projects. A consultant for the Long Island Motor Parkway Trailway project has been selected and is expected to begin preparation of a Master Plan this month with construction documents scheduled to be completed by January 15, 2010.

I am very pleased that the official project photograph, a 1937 Long Island Motor Parkway license plate, was downloaded from VanderbiltCupRaces.com .

November 6, 2009 Update: The Motor Parkway Trailway master plan project has been awarded to VHB Engineering, Surveying and Landscape Architecture, P.C.