March 28, 2025—Saranac Lake, NY-- The Adirondack Rail Trail Association (ARTA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Julia Goren as its new Executive Director. A dedicated leader in outdoor recreation, conservation, and nonprofit management, Goren brings over 20 years of experience in strengthening connections between communities and the natural landscapes of the Adirondacks.
Goren, who most recently served as Interim Executive Director of the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK), has a long-standing commitment to fostering sustainable outdoor recreation and community engagement in the Adirondacks. Her leadership at ADK included securing over $500,000 in federal grants for infrastructure improvements, strengthening partnerships with state agencies and local municipalities, and advancing advocacy efforts for visitor education and stewardship.
"We are thrilled to welcome Julia Goren as ARTA's Executive Director," said John Brockway, Chair of the ARTA Board. "Her extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and community engagement makes her the ideal candidate to lead ARTA into its next phase of growth. With her vision, the Adirondack Rail Trail will continue to develop as a premier recreational corridor, connecting communities and fostering economic and environmental resilience.
"The Adirondack Rail Trail is a transformative project repurposing a historic rail line into a four-season, off-road greenway connecting Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake. Under Goren's leadership, ARTA will continue to expand its efforts in trail stewardship, public engagement, fundraising, and advocacy to ensure a seamless visitor experience and long-term sustainability. ARTA's Volunteer Stewardship Agreement (VSA) with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation was recently renewed and the organization looks forward to continuing its commitment to maintaining and stewarding the regional environmental recreation attraction that is the Adirondack Rail Trail.
"I am honored to join ARTA at such a pivotal time," said Goren. "The Adirondack Rail Trail is more than just another area trail—it's a vital community asset that provides opportunities for recreation, education, and economic growth. I look forward to working with ARTA's board, partners, and volunteers to enhance the trail's accessibility, visibility, and impact."
As ARTA moves forward, Goren's priorities will include securing funding for trail improvements, strengthening relationships with local governments and businesses, and promoting the Adirondack Rail Trail as a model for sustainable outdoor recreation.
ARTA was recently awarded $150,000 matching grant from the Environmental Protection Fund's Park and Trails Partnership program grant.
The grant is one of 23 awards totaling $1.8 million for organizations dedicated to the stewardship and promotion of New York's state parks and historic sites, trails, and public lands. The grants will be matched with private and local funding and will support projects to strengthen Friends groups and enhance public access and recreational opportunities.
Friends groups—nonprofit organizations often made up entirely of volunteers—are essential to the stewardship and promotion of our state park system. These dedicated groups raise private funds for capital projects, perform maintenance tasks, provide educational programming, and promote public use through hosting special events.
The Park and Trail Partnership Grants are administered by Parks & Trails New York, a statewide non-profit organization, in partnership with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation and the Department of Environmental Conservation.
The grant will support ARTA by creating a permanent Executive Director position to implement the organization's vision and work with the board and members in helping DEC and the adjacent municipalities maintain and promote the Rail Trail.
More information on Park and Trail Partnership Grants can be found at www.ptny.org or by calling 518-434-1583 x3.For more information about the Adirondack Rail Trail and ARTA's initiatives, visit www.adirondackrailtrail.org
The Adirondack Rail Trail Association (ARTA) is a registered 501c3 not-for-profit organization.
The Adirondack Rail Trail AssociationP.O. Box 1081, Saranac Lake, NY 12983info@AdirondackRailTrail.org https://www.adirondackrailtrail.org/