I treasure the Van Cortland Park section of the Old Putnam rail trail. It is a link between the rail trails north of NY City and the Greenways of NY City itself. I ride this path on fixed gear road bikes all the time. I have 700c x 28/25 or 27 x 1 1/8 tires.

It is a challenge at times, when wet, but it is a pleasant short segment that I savor. It's narrow and one has to be careful and respectful of nature walking groups, children and occasional park rangers on horseback. Not to mention cyclists coming toward you or passing. This path is an acquired taste and I would miss it if it were turned into yet another featureless bike path that enabled tedious, self-entitled road Freds to ride too fast, screaming "on your left". There are enough of those paths, already.

If there were a way to widen the path, improve the drainage and keep it consistent with the railroad bed that is it's character now, I would welcome that solution.

But the plan which is on the board is an excellent one. There will be two lanes, one for pedestrians and another, paved, for bikes. There will be many trees planted and only a few removed. I guess it's a good compromise. But, I'll still miss the "Ol' Puddle."

Peace.