For Immediate Release: October 6, 2005
Canal Connections Tour Stops in Oswego
Community Collaboration Sought in Shaping the
Erie Canal and Empire State Greenways
OSWEGO, 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 at the Oswego County Legislative Chambers.
“It is crucial to develop strong relationships with Canal communities in order to ensure the Erie Canal Greenway has a successful future,” Mantello said. “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 Oswego and Onondaga counties about their vision for the future of the Canal System,” Mantello continued. “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 look forward to working with Director Mantello and the Canal Corporation to further develop Oswego’s Canal area,” said Russ Johnson, Chairman of the Oswego County Legislature. “The Canal plays a large role in our community by attracting thousands for our annual festivals and providing various recreation opportunities for residents and visitors to the region.”
After the meeting, Director Mantello and local officials toured recent improvements to the Canal aboard the Top Gun.
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 is making ten stops at various locations along the Canal System. The next regional meeting will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 21, in Pittsford at the Brookwood Inn, located at 800 Pittsford-Victor Road.
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 tourism attractions along the New York State Canal System, please call 1-800-4CANAL4 or visit www.canals.state.ny.us.
Review the Canal Connections Tour background information.
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