For Immediate Release: June 2, 2005
SCHENECTADY 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.
“The New York State Canal System has already developed many miles of biking and hiking pathways on the old tow paths,” said Canal Corporation Executive Director Michael Fleischer. “We invite everyone to participate in the City of Schenectady’s events- whether you’re hiking, biking or taking part in the Trail cleanup- become a part of the statewide Canalway Trail Day.”
As part of this celebration, the City of Schenectady with the Schenectady Chapter, Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) will host “Take the Path to a Healthier You”. The day will include cleaning up along the City of Schenectady’s section of the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail. The clean up will involve general trail maintenance from garbage clean up to trimming brush all while enjoying a healthy walk along the Canal. Work gloves, sunscreen, bug spray and long pants are recommended. This year’s event will begin at 9:00 a.m at Seneca Street.
The project is being done in conjunction with the Friends of the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail and with the cooperation of the City of Schenectady. Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) is proud to partner up with us to sponsor this year’s National Trails Day event.
If you would like to sign up as a volunteer, you can do so by visiting EMS at their Niskayuna store located at Mohawk Commons on Balltown Road.
For more information about the celebration in Schenectady, please contact Howard Halstead at halstead@ieee.org or (518) 229-2789 or Stan Stoklosa at testok@albany.net
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 statewide 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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