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Adopt-a-Trail | Campsites | Touring Canalway Trail | Photo Collage | Construction Advisories

Canalway Trail Adopt-a-Trail Program

Photo of Bikers on Canalway TrailCanalway Trail Maintenance

The Canalway Trail needs regular maintenance to keep it in good repair for biking, walking, and other trail activities. Grass needs to be mowed, brush cut, litter and weeds removed, and graffiti cleaned. In addition, some trail facilities need to be painted and repaired. State and Local agencies are working hard to maintain the trail, but volunteers are needed to help with these activities and provide the care that will make this trail a world class recreational resource.


You Can Help

The Canalway Trail Adopt-a-Trail program helps keep the trail clean and in good repair by encouraging volunteers to adopt sections of the trail in their communities. The Canalway Trails Association of New York, in cooperation with the NYS Canal Corporation, organizes and guides volunteer work on the Canalway Trail. Parks and Trails New York also provides assistance on this program.

Who Can Adopt a Trail?

Individuals, families, and organizations may adopt a mile or more of the Canalway Trail. It is a great community project for a scout or youth group, school, company, or service organization. Adopt-a-Trail Signs recognizing the group or individuals will be furnished and erected at each end of the adopted trail segment. Volunteers who adopt a section of trail are able to work on their own schedule.

It’s Fun!

Adopt-a-Trail groups can tackle many types of maintenance tasks, such as litter pick-up, mowing, trimming brush, removing fallen branches, raking and patching the trail surface, maintaining signs, painting, and landscaping.

Volunteers may become involved in trail planning, local trail map development, and environmental and historic education activities.

Volunteers may also be interested in participating in the Canalway Trails Association at the regional or state level.

How to Adopt a Trail

To learn more about the program and to receive an application package, please send an e-mail to canaltrail@ptny.org. Please include your name, address, group name (if any), day and evening telephone numbers, e-mail address and note the Canal community you would like to work in.

Adopt-a-Trail Forms

After notifying us of your interest in participating you will be contacted by your Regional Canalway Trail Adopt-a-Trail Sponsor.  When you are ready to get started, please complete the application forms below and submit them to your Adopt-a-Trail Sponsor.

Permit Application (1 page PDF / 31Kb)

Application Package
  Welcome to the Adopt-a-Trail Program (1 page PDF / 18Kb)
  General Information Sheet (1 page PDF / 14Kb)
  Adopt-a-Trail Agreement (3 page PDF / 23Kb)
  Participant Register (1 page PDF / 20 Kb)
  Volunteer Report (1 page PDF / 17Kb)
  Sponsor Summary (1 page PDF / 17Kb)