Saratoga Springs to hold meeting on trail art

PHOTOGRAPHER: Erica Miller

The Railroad Run Trail in Saratoga Springs on Thursday.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The city will hold a meeting Wednesday to discuss the possibility of installing public art along the Railroad Run Trail, part of the city’s bicycle and pedestrian trail system.

The city is considering applying for a National Endowment for the Arts grant of up to $50,000 for art along the trail, which generally parallels Ballston Avenue running south of West Circular Street, following a historic railroad right-of-way.

The meeting will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center on Vanderbilt Avenue, with city community development planner Lindsey Connors and Arts Center of the Capital Region CEO Elizabeth Reiss moderating the discussion. The city is looking for public input on possible themes, sizes and placement of art works.

“The intention of the project is to animate the path, link Saratoga’s communities to each other, and provide meaningful opportunities for local artists to engage with the public,” the city said in an announcement.

The City Council voted Tuesday to authorize a grant application, if the city decides to apply. Application rules require a local matching share for any federal grant, but city officials said they believe a private foundation would put up the money for the local share.