For Immediate Release: September 21, 2005
Canal Connections Tour Stops in Baldwinsville
Community
Collaboration Sought in Shaping the
Erie Canal and Empire State Greenways
BALDWINSVILLE, N.Y. -- Carmella R. Mantello, Director of the New York State Canal Corporation, today met with local officials, community and business leaders, and other canalway organizations as part of a community outreach initiative seeking input from groups interested in the Canal's future and Governor George E. Pataki’s proposal for the Erie Canal Greenway and the Empire State Greenway at the Blue Water Grill.
“It is crucial to develop strong relationships with Canal communities in order to ensure the Erie Canal Greenway has a successful future,” said Ms. Mantello. “The Governor’s vision of an interconnected greenway, stretching from Niagara Falls to New York City, can only become a reality with the participation of communities and partners along the Canal System.
“I look forward to hearing from communities in Central New York about their
vision for the future of the canal system,” continued Ms. Mantello. “Working
together and balancing our economic and environmental resources will revitalize
the Canal corridor, a national treasure.”
The Canal Connections Tour is one component of the New York State Canal Corporation Interagency Task Force’s extensive outreach effort to gather input and ideas from federal, State and local planners, as well as from Canal interest groups.
“I welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Carmella Mantello on creating a wonderful Erie Canal Greenway,” said Village of Baldwinsville Mayor Daniel D. O’Hara. “During the past ten years, the Village of Baldwinsville community has made great progress in utilizing the Erie Canal as an economic engine. We will continue to make many public and private partnerships to further enhance and improve the economy in the greater Baldwinsville area.”
“I have long been a supporter of maximizing the Canal’s potential for economic development and recreational opportunities,” said Onondaga County Executive Nicholas J. Pirro. “The Canal is a very important asset and we are eager to work with Governor Pataki, Director Mantello, and the canal staff to ensure the realization of the Greenway proposal and other initiatives that can help us reap this waterway’s full potential.”
After the meeting, Ms. Mantello and Mayor O’Hara also toured a new trail linking downtown to the Canalway Recreation Trail at Lock 24 and an old mill that is being converted into a Bed and Breakfast.
Information collected on the Tour will be used in developing recommendations for creating the new Greenways. The Task Force will submit recommendations to Governor Pataki, who will use them in drafting legislation to establish the Erie Canal Greenway next year.
The Tour will make ten stops at various locations along the Canal System. The next regional meeting will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29 in Utica at the Hotel Utica, located at 102 Lafayette Street.
An email address has been set up so community members can submit their input, ideas and concerns regarding the Erie Canal Greenway. Comments should be sent to: eriegreenwayfeedback@canals.state.ny.us.
The New York State Canal System is comprised of four historic waterways, the
Erie, the Champlain, the Oswego and the Cayuga-Seneca Canals. Spanning 524 miles
across New York State, the waterway links the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake
Ontario, the Finger Lakes and the Niagara River with communities rich in history
and culture.
For more information about news and events along the New York State Canal System, please call 1-800-4CANAL4 or visit www.canals.state.ny.us.
View background information regarding the Canal Connections Tour.
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