named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Community and Business Promotion
Connects communities and promotes local businesses through maps, kiosks, and outreach
Trail Ambassadors
Educates trail users about safety, etiquette, and conservation through ambassador programs
Trail Maintenance and Stewardship
ARTA conducts trail maintenance including clearing trees, removing waste, and maintaining amenities in partnership with NYS DEC under a Volunteer Stewardship Agreement
activities · 3 groups
What they do
-
Recreational Trail Development and Maintenance 5 activities
- Advocate for the development of recreational trails on rail corridorsAdvocates for the creation and expansion of multi-use recreational trails on historic rail beds in the Adirondack Park, including leading coalition efforts that resulted in a 2020 compromise agreement and initiating construction of the 34-mile Adirondack Rail Trail in 2022.
- Operate and maintain the 34-mile Adirondack Rail TrailOperates and maintains a 34-mile multipurpose recreational trail from Lake Placid to Tupper Lake, including year-round upkeep of trail surfaces, clearing debris, and ensuring accessibility for biking, walking, running, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. The trail features flat, even surfaces and ADA-accessible trailheads and rest areas.
- Provide accessible trail infrastructure and amenitiesMaintains accessible trail features including a 2-mile paved section in Saranac Lake, compacted stone dust surfaces, ADA-accessible trailheads, rest areas, and trailer parking for snowmobilers at designated locations in Tupper Lake, Lake Clear, and Lake Placid. The trail is designed to be gently graded and suitable for users of all abilities.
- Secure sponsorships and partnerships for trail developmentSeeks business partnerships and sponsorships to fund trail development, maintenance, and community engagement initiatives along the Adirondack Rail Trail.
- Support trail stewardship through partnerships and volunteer programsPartners with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation under a Volunteer Stewardship Agreement to conduct trail maintenance, install amenities, and organize volunteer stewardship activities. Staff and volunteers collaborate on debris removal, signage, and trail upkeep.
-
-
Onsite & Outreach Environmental Education Programs 1 activity
- Deploy trail ambassadors and educational outreachDeploys trail ambassadors to educate users about safe and responsible trail use, connect communities, and support public access to the natural and cultural resources of the Adirondack Park.
-
-
Visitor & Business Guide Distribution 1 activity
- Produce educational and promotional materials for trail usersDevelops and distributes maps, kiosks, and online resources to guide trail users, promote local businesses, and enhance visitor experience. Also publishes an annual report and newsletter to communicate progress and engage stakeholders.
-
financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$154K
Contributions & grants$154K100%
Program service revenue$5000%
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$66K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$166K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$166K
3 years on record · 2022–2024 · YoY revenue +33.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 9
- CARL KNOCH — DIRECTOR
- CHRIS KENISTON — DIRECTOR
- HOPE FRENETTE — DIRECTOR
- JACK DELEHANTY — DIRECTOR
- JIM MCCULLEY — DIRECTOR
- MAUREEN PEROZA — DIRECTOR
- RICHARD BEAMISH — DIRECTOR
- SCOTT THOMPSON — DIRECTOR
- TONY GOODWIN — DIRECTOR
relationships · 32
Who they work with
- Adirondack Community Foundation Funder — Local grant-making partner that has supported ARTA’s mission.
- Barkeater Trails Alliance Partner — Partner organization providing information on trail access for e-bikes at Fowlers Crossing.
- Beta Unified Brand Partner — Partner in branding or communications for the trail association
- Bike Lake Placid Partner — Partner business offering bike rentals for trail users.
- Candid Network — Displays a Candid Silver Seal of Transparency on its website.
- Cloudsplitter Foundation Funder — Local grant-making partner that has supported ARTA’s mission.
- Dewey Mountain Recreation Center Partner — Partner organization offering ski and snowshoe rentals for trail users.
- Farmhouse Snowmobiling and UTVs Partner — Partner business offering snowmobile rentals for trail users.
- Franklin County Funder — Local grant-making partner that has supported ARTA’s mission.
- High Peaks Cyclery Partner — Partner business offering bike and ski/snowshoe rentals for trail users.
- Lake Placid Education Foundation Funder — Local grant-making partner that has supported ARTA’s mission.
- NYS Snowmobile Association Partner — Provides updated snowmobile trail conditions and connector trail information for the Adirondack Rail Trail.
- New York State Government — Partner in supporting the Adirondack Rail Trail
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Manages the 34-mile multi-use trail section from Lake Placid to Tupper Lake.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Partner in a Volunteer Stewardship Agreement allowing organized volunteer work on the Adirondack Rail Trail.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Partner — Co-manages the Adirondack Rail Trail, with ARTA supporting trail maintenance and amenities.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Partner — Partner in managing and maintaining the Adirondack Rail Trail through a Volunteer Stewardship Agreement.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Partner — Partners with ARTA to provide trail maintenance and amenities on the Adirondack Rail Trail.
- New York State Department of Transportation Government — Manages the rehabilitated 45-mile rail segment from Remsen to Tupper Lake.
- North Elba (LEAF) Funder — Local grant-making partner that has supported ARTA’s mission.
- Open Space Institute Partner — Funded the construction of the new Lake Placid trailhead in partnership with the Village of Lake Placid.
- PTNY Partner — Partner in trail advocacy and promotion
- Parks and Trails NY Funder — Local grant-making partner that has supported ARTA’s mission.
- Placid Planet Bicycles Partner — Partner business offering bike rentals for trail users.
- Roost Partner — Supports the Adirondack Rail Trail association
- Sara-Placid Sled & Spoke LLC Partner — Partner business offering bike and snowmobile rentals for trail users.
- Silver Birch Cycles Partner — Partner business offering bike rentals for trail users.
- Snowmobile Partner — Supports winter trail use and maintenance
- The Wild Center Partner — Collaborates to promote Tupper Lake as a destination along the Adirondack Rail Trail, leveraging The Wild Center as a key attraction.
- Uihlein Foundation Funder — Local grant-making partner that has supported ARTA’s mission.
+ 2 more
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Adaptive Reuse of Rail Corridors for Public Recreationmethodology: rails-to-trailsBy repurposing abandoned rail beds and historic rail corridors into multi-use trails, creates accessible recreational infrastructure that preserves regional history and connects communities, because adaptive reuse leverages existing linear corridors to minimize environmental disruption and development costs while maximizing connectivity.
- Community-Based Tourism and Economic Activationmethodology: community-based_tourismBy promoting trail use in conjunction with local cultural and recreational assets, drives visitation and economic vitality in mountain towns, because integrating trails with community identity transforms infrastructure into a catalyst for place-based tourism and local business engagement.
- Community-Integrated Trail Stewardship and Maintenancemethodology: collaborative_stewardshipBy engaging volunteers and forming formal stewardship partnerships with state agencies, ensures sustainable trail maintenance and local ownership, because community-based stewardship fosters long-term accountability, reduces public management burdens, and strengthens local attachment to shared natural resources.
- Universal, Multi-Use Trail Design for Inclusive Accessmethodology: universal-trail-designBy designing trails with crushed stone surfaces, shallow grades, wide treads, and firm substrates, enables year-round, safe, and equitable access for diverse user groups—including hikers, bikers, skiers, and people with mobility challenges—because inclusive design removes physical barriers and promotes active living across ages and abilities.