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Lindsay Brinton and Meghan Largent, attorneys from Lewis Rice’s Federal Takings & Rails to Trails Practice Group, recently obtained $532,226 in compensation for four landowners in Dutchess and Putnam counties in New York. These landowners brought claims against the federal government for the taking of their property for a 41.1-mile recreational hiking and biking trail that crosses over their land.

The landowners’ property ran along the abandoned Metro-North railway section that stretches from the Beacon waterfront to the Connecticut border. It was seized February 8, 2024, pursuant to the National Trails System Act, which authorizes abandoned railroad lines to be converted to public parks. Lindsay and Meghan filed a claim for compensation on behalf of the landowners the next day on February 9.

Lewis Rice has recovered more than $1,500,000 for landowners along this rail-trail corridor. A group of eight landowners received $1,060,493.07 in September 2025.

“This marks just the second group of landowners to receive compensation for this taking,” Lindsay said. “Hundreds more in Dutchess and Putnam counties remain eligible to file claims for the compensation owed to them by the federal government. We would welcome the opportunity to help ensure they receive what they deserve.”

Lewis Rice's federal takings attorneys represent landowners throughout the United States pursuing takings claims against the federal government. One primary focus of the group is representing landowners in what is commonly referred to as rails to trails takings. Attorneys in this group litigate cases in the United States Court of Federal Claims on behalf of those whose property was taken by the federal government pursuant to the National Trails System Act, which authorizes abandoned railroad lines to be converted to public parks. The goal is to obtain compensation from the government for the taking of their land for the public recreational trail. The attorneys in the Federal Takings Practice Group focus on both proving the taking has occurred as well as establishing the value of the property that was taken. Their national work for landowners includes representing landowners coast-to-coast, including 11 states.