FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 21, 2005
CANAL CONNECTIONS TOUR STOPS IN PITTSFORD
Community Collaboration Sought in Shaping the Erie Canal and Empire State
Greenways
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 Brookwood Inn, 800 Pittsford-Victor Road in Pittsford, Monroe County.
“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 Monroe, Orleans and Wayne 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.
Pittsford Town Supervisor William A. Carpenter said, “The Erie Canal has always been a treasured historical asset to our community, which embraces our philosophy of preserving the past and pioneering the future. We want to thank Governor Pataki and the Canal Corporation for seeking community input on the future of one of New York State's most valuable assets. We believe that a state and local partnership will ensure the future success of the Erie Canal as a statewide resource.”
Village of Pittsford Mayor Robert C. Corby said, “The Erie Canal is recognized throughout the world not only for its historical significance, but as a key recreational asset that is helping to drive economic development and improve the quality of life in canal communities. The Village of Pittsford is a model for what can be achieved by communities all along the Canal System. We look forward to working with the Canal Corporation to fulfill the Governor's vision for an Erie Canal Greenway.”
After the meeting, Director Mantello and local officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a recently completed portion of the Canalway Trail at Lock 32 in Pittsford. Later, Director Mantello also attended a ribbon-cutting for a new sewage pump-out station along the canal in the Village of Pittsford.
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 28, in Ithaca at the Boatyard Grill, 525 Taughannock Boulevard.
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.
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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.
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