For Immediate Release: September 29, 2005
CANAL CORPORATION ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF 6-MILE CANALWAY
TRAIL SEGMENT IN ONEIDA COUNTY
New Multi-Use Trail Completes Link Between Utica and Rome
The New York State Canal Corporation today announced the official opening of a new 6-mile Canalway Trail segment in Oneida County. The trail between River Street in Oriskany and Barnes Avenue in Marcy links two existing Canalway Trail segments to create a continuous 16-mile bike and hike path adjacent to the Erie Canal between Rome and Utica.
An official ribbon-cutting for the new Canalway Trail segment was hosted by Canal Corporation Director Carmella R. Mantello at Lock 20 in Marcy. The event was attended by numerous State and local officials, community members and trail volunteers.
“Today’s ribbon-cutting represents another step forward in our efforts to connect canal communities and encourage increased recreation, tourism and economic development along the entire Canal system,” Director Mantello said. “As with many other Canalway Trail projects, the partnerships forged between the Canal Corporation and numerous organizations, including state and local governments, are vital to the Trail’s success. As we look to fulfill the Governor’s vision for an Erie Canal Greenway, completion of the Canalway Trail will provide a tremendous statewide link, creating new and exciting recreational opportunities here in Oneida County and all along the scenic and historic Canal corridor.”
The 6-mile segment is part of a $35 million program announced by Governor George E. Pataki in 2002 to complete the Erie Canalway Trail linking the Hudson River and Lake Erie. More than half of the 348-mile Erie Canalway Trail is now complete. The $1.3 million project was funded with Federal Transportation Enhancement funds administered by the NYS Department of Transportation and $275,000 in matching funds from the NYS Canal Corporation.
State Senator Raymond A. Meier said, “The connection of these two trails creating one contiguous trail is excellent news, providing increased recreational opportunities for Oneida county residents and visitors to the region. With the spectacular scenery of the Fall season, I am sure the trail will see much use. Additionally, recreational and tourism opportunities are often amenities businesses look at when considering investing in a community.”
Assemblyman Dave Townsend said, “The Mohawk Valley offers some of the most beautiful landscapes in all of New York. The completion of the new Canalway Trail segment provides even more opportunities for residents and the hundreds of thousands of people who come to visit and enjoy all the pleasures of our region. Discovering the Erie Canal System is a wonderful way for children and adults alike to experience the beauty and history of New York. I thank Governor Pataki and members of the New York State Canal Corporation for their hard work and devotion to the Mohawk Valley.”
Assemblywoman RoAnn M. Destito said, “This new six-mile section of the Canalway Trail provides an outstanding opportunity for residents and visitors alike to enjoy the history, culture, and natural beauty of the Mohawk Valley region by taking a walk or a bike ride along the original Erie Canal corridor. This trail is a tremendous recreational and tourism asset for our region, because there is no better way for people to appreciate the value the Erie Canal has had in our nation’s history than being able to see it first-hand.”
Marcy Town Supervisor Brian Scala said, “The completion of the 16-mile bike/hike trail between Utica and Rome along the Erie Canal is exciting news for the residents of Marcy and everyone this path connects. The Town of Marcy has worked with State agencies to provide the means of getting hikers and bicyclists to Lock 20 to use and enjoy this path. We appreciate the Governor’s commitment to our area and thank our State representatives for getting this project funded and completed.”
The project features a 10-foot wide crushed limestone or asphalt surface trail. Informational sign kiosks were installed at Erie Canal Lock 20 in Marcy and at the trailhead parking area at River Street in Oriskany. A small campsite for bicyclists, hikers, canoeists and kayakers was also installed at Lock 20.
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.
In late May 2005, Governor Pataki unveiled his vision for establishing the Erie Canal Greenway and, ultimately, the Empire State Greenway, connecting the Niagara, Erie and Hudson River Greenways. The Canal Corporation and an interagency task force are currently conducting an outreach campaign to gather input and ideas, and develop a comprehensive set of recommendations to create the new Erie and Empire State Greenways and examine certain roles and responsibilities currently assigned to the Canal Corporation. The recommendations will be delivered in a report to the Governor by December 2005.
To obtain a free map of the New York State Canalway Trail System, please call 1-800-4CANAL4. To learn more about the Canalway Trail System, visit the Canal Corporation’s Website at www.canals.state.ny.us/canalway trail/.
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