Sidewalk Improvement Study

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The City of Kingston is working to make sidewalks safer and easier for everyone to use through a new Sidewalk Improvement Study. The goal of this study is to explore innovative funding mechanisms for long-term sidewalk reconstruction and maintenance, plan the work so it causes the least disruption to residents, and focus on the areas that the community says need the most attention.

About the Study

As part of the study, sidewalks across the city will be reviewed and rated based on their condition. The City will also look at what type of repairs are needed, since sidewalks can be different depending on where they are located and how they were built.

The City will study different funding options to find the most cost-effective choices that meet City and State rules. Possible funding from state and federal programs will also be considered.

While the City collects information through its own sidewalk inventory, community input is also important. There will be an online survey, public meetings, and pop-up events where residents can share their thoughts.

Please join us and help shape the future of sidewalks in Kingston!

Benefits of Sidewalks

A connected sidewalk network provides communities with safe, accessible routes for people of all ages and abilities, reducing reliance on cars for short trips and creating opportunities for physical activity. By linking neighborhoods, schools, parks, bus stops, and commercial areas, these networks make it easier for people to move through our community without a vehicle, cutting traffic congestion and lowering carbon emissions. For children, seniors, and people with disabilities, a well-connected pedestrian infrastructure is especially vital — it supports independence and ensures that getting around town doesn't require access to a car.

Project Background

The Kingston Complete Streets Advisory Council, CSAC, was created in 2010 to advise on ways that Complete Streets principles can be applied to planning, design, and construction activities. In 2013, the CSAC created its first sidewalk task force to envision how sidewalks could be improved. Around the same time, a Bluestone Sidewalk Survey was created. Multiple planning documents called for the improvement of a connected sidewalk network, including the 2020 and 2030 Climate Action Plans, the Kingston Comprehensive Plan, the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, and the Kingston Forward zoning code.

In 2023, the CSAC created a second sidewalk task force, which drafted a comparison of policy and program options for sidewalk repair in 2024. In 2025, the City allocated funding for this Sidewalk Funding Plan.