For Immediate Release: June 2, 2005
PALMYRA ANNOUNCES PARTICIPATION IN
NATIONAL TRAILS DAY ON JUNE 4
Statewide Celebration Highlighting the Canalway Trail Scheduled
The New York State Canal Corporation, in conjunction with Parks and Trails New York (PTNY), a statewide non-profit organization, and the Canalway Trails Association of New York (CTANY), is organizing a statewide Canalway Trail Celebration on National Trails Day on Saturday, June 4, 2005.
This year’s celebration is coupled with Governor Pataki’s unveiling of a bold new vision to create “The Erie Canal Greenway,” representing a new chapter in the future development of the Canal which was announced last Friday, May 27, 2005. This exciting, new direction for the Canal will restore, revitalize and afford greater protection of one of New York’s most valuable resources and become a central link in the Governor’s long-term strategy of creating an Empire State Greenway.
“It is important that outdoor enthusiasts become familiar with the legendary past of our Canals, and realize that additional improvements made to the System and Canalway Trail create business and tourism opportunities for Canalside communities,” said Canal Corporation Executive Director Michael Fleischer. “The festivities that Palmyra has planned will surely increase the awareness of the growing importance of this recreational trail.”
As part of this celebration, Palmyra will host “A Morning of Family Fun at the Canal” This event will include tours of the Museums of Historic Palmyra and Aqueduct Park with the Bridge Builders as well as face painting, baked goods, free drawings and giveaways. For more information about the celebration in Palmyra, please contact May or Vicki Daily at (315) 597-4849.
Several other communities and trail groups across the Canalway Trail Corridor are also participating in the Canalway Trail Celebration by hosting local events on National Trails Day.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Moving Ahead on the Canalway Trail,” to emphasize the progress being made in completing the Canalway Trail. More than half of the 348-mile Erie Canalway Trail linking the Hudson River and Lake Erie is now complete. The 2005 Canalway Trail Celebration will also highlight the link between community trail use and public health. Trails are helping people stay active to combat heart disease and obesity.
The Canalway Trail System is currently comprised of four major segments across upstate New York: the Erie Canal Heritage Trail in Western New York; the Old Erie Canal State Park Trail in Central New York; the Mohawk-Hudson Bikeway in the eastern Capital Region, and the Glens Falls Feeder Canal Trail in the foothills of the Adirondacks near Lake George.
To learn more about the Canalway Trail Celebration, please contact the Canal Corporation at www.canals.state.ny.us or contact Salim Adler at PTNY at 518-434-1583 or www.ptny.org.
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