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May 17, 2019 - In This Issue:
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A Message From Mayor Steve Noble:
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We have so many exciting events and programs happening in Kingston right now.
This week, a handful of City Hall employees participated in Bike to Work Week, thanks to Bike Friendly Kingston's efforts to get us back in the cycling groove. I'm excited about a few more upcoming opportunities to get outdoors - one is the Kingston Point Rail Trail Clean-Up on June 1, which will help us prep the trail for its grand opening this summer. The second is the Forsyth Nature Center's extended summer hours, which allow families to take advantage of the longer days.
On Tuesday, May 21, we have a presentation and workshop to discuss a proposed policy on public art. Kingston has a thriving arts community, which is so important to our City, and I encourage
people to attend the workshop.
The beautiful 2019 Kingston Visitor's Guides have landed. Swing by City Hall or the Ulster County Tourism office to pick up a copy!
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Kingston Point Rail Trail Clean-Up on June 1
The City of Kingston and the Kingston Land Trust will host a site clean-up for the Kingston Point Rail Trail (KPRT) on Saturday, June 1, from 9:30am-12:30pm. The clean-up will prepare the trail for opening by removing debris from the banks of the pathway, primarily in the areas behind Rondout Savings Bank and on the stretch between Rondout Gardens and Delaware Avenue.
Volunteers will gather at the Jansen Avenue Trailhead behind the Walgreens on Broadway at 9:30am and will traverse the trail picking up trash and recyclables to beautify the path and prepare it for opening. Volunteers will be provided with trash bags but are encouraged to bring gloves and wheelbarrows. Parking is available at the Rondout Savings Employee Parking Lot on E. Chester Street for the Saturday event. The City's Department of Public Works will pick up and dispose of all refuse found along the trail.
The Kingston Point Rail Trail, which has recently been paved, is not yet open to the public, as it is an active construction site. Work is still being done, which includes completing the trailheads, and installing furniture, landscape plantings, electrical connections, fencing and crossings. Visitors should not yet be utilizing the trail. The grand opening will be held this summer.
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The 2019 Visitor's Guide Has Arrived!
The 2019 City of Kingston Visitor's Guide is now available across the City of Kingston. With 76 pages and over 10,000 copies in distribution, the 2019 Kingston Visitor's Guide promotes tourism as well as highlights how locals can enjoy our many community events and assets.
This year's theme is "Strong Roots, Smart Growth," and features sections on the many adaptive re-use buildings that have restored and re-imagined historic structures, and the Kingston Greenline, with updates on the Linear Park and the Kingston Point Rail Trail. It also includes a calendar of events, Parks & Recreation offerings, and sections on Uptown, Midtown and the Waterfront business districts.
New this year is an interactive digital map at KingstonVisitorsGuide.com, which provides travelers with mobile resources for every step, from planning to navigating to shopping and dining. Also new in 2019 is an illustrated printed map, which will be distributed to area businesses, shops and tourist locations in and around the City of Kingston. The one-of-a-kind map was illustrated by ColorPage's on-staff designer, local artist Brian Daly
.
The 2019 Kingston Visitor's Guide is free and distributed at City Hall, the Kingston Heritage Area Visitors Center/Ulster County Tourism office and numerous other locations throughout the Hudson Valley. The electronic version includes links to events and supporting advertisers and is available digitally at www.kingston-ny.gov/tourism.
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City Hall's Bike to Work Week Crew
This week was Bike to Work Week! A few of us at City Hall joined in for a friendly competition organized by Bike Friendly Kingston to encourage folks citywide to get out and start riding.
There are two categories that organizations compete for: the most trips collectively, and the individual who cycles the most miles during the week. Both winners will get a discount from Revolution Bicycles. We'll find out tonight at Keegan Ales who will take home the prizes this year. Wish us luck!
Mayor Noble, Sean Koester, Kristen Wilson and Emily Flynn
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Art in Public Policy Workshop on Tuesday, May 21
Mayor Steve Noble, the City of Kingston's Department of Art & Cultural Affairs, and the Kingston Arts Commission announce today, the 'Art in Public' policy draft. This city-wide policy establishes protocol and procedure for publicly displayed works of art in Kingston. A community presentation and workshop to introduce the policy and answer any questions will be held on May 21 at 5:30pm at City Hall. The Director of Art & Cultural Affairs, Adrielle Farr, will make a brief presentation on the policy, followed by a roundtable discussion.
"The City of Kingston encourages artists to continue to develop and create artwork that engages with the public," said Mayor Noble. "I created the office
of Arts and Cultural Affairs with the intention of the director being a valuable resource to our community of artists. With this policy, she will assist those wanting to produce public art and help them through the process."
"We know that public art displays have become part of Kingston's identity and provide our community members the opportunity to engage with art every day," said Adrielle Farr. "The Arts Commission and I have thoroughly researched existing policies, while also taking into consideration the needs of our particular community, and have created a policy that we believe will benefit artists, the City's historic assets, and everyone who enjoys the artwork itself."
A
working draft of the policy is available on the City's website, and copies will be provided at the workshop. After addressing feedback and concerns from the public, the Department of Art & Cultural Affairs and the Arts Commission will present the policy to the Common Council for adoption into the City Code. Once the policy is in place, a Community Art Panel will be formed and an application process will be instated for art in public.
"This policy is not to restrict art or artists in any way. We want to say yes to more projects, and to involve more people from the community in the process," said Susie Linn, chairperson of the Arts Commission. "The Art in Public policy protects artists' work as outlined in the Visual Artists Rights Act, and we believe will be an asset to local artists."
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Forsyth Nature Center's Summer Hours
Forsyth Nature Center will be open longer hours starting soon! Beginning on Memorial Day, and running through Columbus Day, the Nature Center will be open
Monday to Friday from 7:00am to 7:00pm and Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
As the days get longer, come out to the enjoy everything the Nature Center has to offer - animals, gardens, ponds, and a showcase of local sustainability efforts. There's a whole host of events and programs coming up this summer, including the Naturalist Passport (all ages), Bookworms for seniors and kids, and the Junior Naturalist Program.
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Kingston 311 Progress Update
We introduced Kingston 311 two months ago, on March 15, 2019. Since then, the City has received 175 calls and opened over 1,000 service tickets. The City has successfully closed 975 service tickets during that time. The City's website is now
tracking the data for service calls.
Kingston 311 is an app, website and phone system, which will allow Kingston residents to quickly and easily report issues and concerns and submit service requests.
The app, which is available for
Android
&
iPhones
, is a fast and simple way to connect to City officials in non-emergency situations. This system is a valuable resource to submit service requests for streetlight replacement, roadwork, City signage, traffic calming measures and other concerns. Photos can be attached to illustrate service orders.
Once a service request is submitted, it is logged into the City's QAlert system and is routed to the appropriate City department. The submitter gets updates as the request works its way through the system, and ultimately receives a reply with a resolution. Progress can also be tracked through the app.
In addition to the app, requests can be logged b
y dialing 311 from most devices within the City of Kingston during regular business hours (8:30am-4:30pm). The caller will connect straight to the City, where the same issues, concerns and service requests can be logged. Calls can be received in English and Spanish. Service requests will also be logged into the QAlert system, and callers will receive updates as the request is handled, and then resolved.
If you haven't already - download the app!
Phone: dial 311
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2019 Summer Youth Employment Program
The
Ulster County Office of Employment & Training is taking applications for their 2019 Summer Youth Employment Program.
This year's program will run from July 1 - August 2, 2019. The pay rate is $12 per hour or $480 gross per week for a 40 hour work week.
Work sites are located across the county with a wide variety of jobs ranging from counselors to maintenance to construction to clerical to information technology to cleaning.
The deadline has been extended until May 24 - so there's still time to apply. Visit UlsterWorks.com for application details.
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Kingston Happenings 
The City of Kingston often receives requests to share upcoming events happening in our community. Our partners at
KingstonHappenings.org
do an excellent job of centralizing this community information. So while our website is the best resource to gain information about City of Kingston sponsored events and important municipal information, Kingston Happenings can give you a greater preview of community events. Check them out today!
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