On June 16, 2025, looking west toward Hill Street on the section of the Periwinkle Bikepath that bisects the Albany Boys and Girls Club.
It won’t be easy or quick to “vacate” — meaning to abandon and close — an offshoot of the Periwinkle Bikepath as recommended by the Albany Parks, Recreation and Tree Commission.
This section of the path runs from Hill Street east to Oak Street, right through the middle of the Albany Boys and Girls Club. The city’s parks commission voted on June 4 to have the city vacate this shortcut after hearing from the club and the city police about graffiti, thefts and other crimes committed by vagrants along the path.
After watching a video of the parks board meeting, I rode my bike along that short (about 800 feet) path. It was early evening on Monday and the place was deserted. No vagrants sleeping on the lawn. No graffiti anywhere. The only markings IÂ saw were what remained of children’s chalk drawings on the concrete pavement of the path itself.
What happens to that recommendation now? I asked Kim Lyddane, Albany parks and recreation director.
“We are just in the exploratory stages,” she replied. “There are several challenges associated with the piece of property in question. First, the property was purchased through a Land & Water Conservation Grant back in the 90s, so there are limitations and stipulations as to what the City can and cannot do. Â Generally, land purchased with these funds cannot be sold or vacated without a conversation. Conversations are rare and take a long time (and money) to complete.”
The federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, created by Congress in 1964, is intended to “safeguard natural areas, water resources and cultural heritage, and to provide recreation opportunities to all Americans,” the Department of Interior explains online.
The path in question follows a railroad right-of-way established in the 19th century. Today it leads to the city’s Kinderpark on the east side of Oak.
Lyddane: “Second, the path serves as the main protected walking path from the neighborhood west of Hill to the park and other services. The impacts of the vacation would need to be reviewed and evaluated by not only other citizen advisory groups (Transportation and Planning) but also City staff to see if it is possible without sacrificing resident safety and access.”
The parks director’s conclusion is that following up on the commission’s recommendation will be complicated and expensive in terms of both money and time.
“In short,” she said, “nothing is happening at this time, as it is just a request and an exploratory conversation.”
In other words, users of this shortcut are not going to lose it any time soon. (hh)
Just before it reaches Oak Street, the path becomes a narrow passage between houses.
I rode through that path this week. I believe it was my second time. I find it very convenient and empty. I’m sure I will use it again soon. While it might not seem like much, it’s two blocks away from main traffic.
I propose an overpass directly to the fork of the Multi Use Path where you can head behind Lowes, over the foot bridge or South. It’s a shame one has to waste all that momentum to stop at Oak.
We wouldn’t have to deal with those pesky motor vehicles that can’t seem to stay out of the bike lanes. Police, where are you? If it were 2 a.m, you’d pull people over for far less.
Pleases keep this path open.
The Club has maintained this path for years. There has been homeless camping in the bushes. The safety of kids outweighs the convenience of a few.
Did you call the POLICE?
Please leave one of the few nature trails i can use witth my walker! Maybe install police blue phone lines. Walk it yourself to defer bad behaviors. Tell your friends to walk it. I’ve never had trouble. Vary walk time. If we let them take over, they won!. Im 75. Come on. Do not confine me to my house.