to protect the viewshed and its character. c. Trails and Links A common thread in comments in workshops and in the survey was the “walkability” of the Village, and the need to further enhance connections between parks, shopping areas, and residential neighborhoods. In addition to the poor condition of many sidewalks, there is also the safety concern where the lack of sidewalks forces pedestrians to walk along the side of busy roads. Improved pedestrian access to the waterfront was also frequently cited. New links should be created between existing trail segments. PAGE 99 CROTON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN The LWRP specifically notes that waterfront parks and recreational areas should be linked, and waterfront access improved. The Open Space Inventory, prepared in 1996, identifies links needed to expand the Village trailway system. Croton-on-Hudson has two distinct areas with sidewalks: the Upper Village and Harmon. To continue the tradition of a “walkable community,” the Plan recommends the following. • Build upon existing connections within Village Safe pedestrian connections between shopping areas, residential neighborhoods, parks, and schools is particularly desirable; sidewalks and safe crosswalks should be created where appropriate. An overall pedestrian linkage study is recommended to review and define those areas most in need of such improvements. Recommended links from the 1996 Open Space Inventory should also be included. Upper Village pedestrian links • Complete Village trail network Complete trail links and connections to the open space network, particularly along the waterfront. As described earlier, the enhancement of the trail system requires the completion of several key links in the Village trail system. These should be identified and prioritized, and funds obtained to build these links. • Improve sidewalk and trail maintenance. Residents should be encouraged to maintain the sidewalk areas adjacent to their homes. A maintenance plan for trails should also be developed. • Improve trail system signage The trail map should be included in signs to help orient walkers. A schematic trail system map could be posted at sites throughout the system, providing specific location arrow (“you are here”) and indicate the relationship of the trail to other links in the Village. Uniform signage (arrows, indicators) should be provided throughout the trail system and on key streets throughout the Village. The trail map could also be posted on the Village web site. • Create better pedestrian/bike connections at RR station Install bike parking at the train station, and provide better signage and trail maps to help guide visitors arriving by train. d. Improve Waterfront Access A common thread in public comments was the need to improve access to the Hudson River waterfront. Although there have been some recent improvements (notably the Brook Street pedestrian PAGE 100 CROTON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN bridge), in general, access to the waterfront is limited, and unsafe in some locations. Recent waterfront projects at the north and south end offer some new opportunities to improve access for vehicles and pedestrians: Half Moon Bay second phase of condominium development, and the planned new waterfront park. The following recommendations build upon these projects. • Create county trail providing access to Croton Point Park This trail would run from Croton Point Park, and connect to the Half Moon Bay trail running north. It would be developed in concert with the pedestrian paths to be constructed during the final phase of the Half Moon Bay condominiums. • Develop proposed new Half Moon Bay access road A new access road off Half Moon Bay would provide another connection to the Half Moon Bay trail and Croton Point Park. This new roadway would run from the Municipal Place/Route 9/Half Moon Bay Condo Access Road intersection north to Senasqua Park and eventually to the new Village waterfront park. As recommended by the Gateway Plan (see Section 3.8), this new roadway would provide safer vehicular access than the present Brook Street at-grade railroad crossing (scheduled to be closed) and would free up the Senasqua tunnel for pedestrian and bike use only. The new roadway would be two-way and would accommodate bike traffic as well. Since portions of the waterfront trail would be located along a new roadway, clear definition of road and pedestrian/bike paths is recommended to promote safety. The entire waterfront trail would also connect to Ossining to the south, utilizing the walkway portion of the Croton River Bridge. If possible, easements should be obtained to enable the trail to run north of the new waterfront park along the shoreline. • Utilize Senasqua tunnel for bicycles and pedestrians only The one-lane Senasqua tunnel, located under the Metro-North tracks, is approximately eight feet wide with a vertical clearance of 6 feet 10 inches, which only accommodates standard-sized automobiles. It cannot be used for two-way traffic flow, and is subject to periodic flooding. With the construction of a new access road, the tunnel should be reserved for pedestrian