FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 28, 2006
EXCITEMENT REIGNS AS NEW YORK STATE CANAL SYSTEM OPENS FOR 181ST NAVIGATION SEASON
Canal System Opens in April for First Time in 33 Years
New York State Canal Corporation Director Carmella R. Mantello today announced the opening of the 181st consecutive navigation season on the New York State Canal System. Originally slated for May 1, today’s early opening marks the first time in 33 years that the entire Canal System has opened during the month of April.
“2006 promises to be a banner year in the long and celebrated history of this State and national treasure,” Canal Corporation Director Carmella R. Mantello said. “New state and federal initiatives have invigorated canal communities and are providing new focus and vision to promote the waterway as a nationally significant historic site and international tourism and recreational destination.
“Canal Corporation employees have worked hand-in-hand with canal communities over the winter to spruce up the Canal System and improve services for residents and visitors to the Canals. With the tremendous news that recreational tolls are waived for boaters this year, we are excited for the 2006 season to begin and look forward to an exceptional year,” Mantello added.
Progress is being made on Governor George E. Pataki’s vision to create an Erie Canal Greenway, led by the New York State Canal Corporation that will compliment the efforts of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission and several State Heritage Area Programs. As part of the Greenway initiative, in December 2005, the state released a Report on the Future of the New York State Canals that contains specific recommendations to improve the operation and maintenance of the Canal System, and enhance the experience of boaters and landside visitors. The report can be reviewed at www.canals.state.ny.us.
Two changes that boaters will notice immediately this year, in addition to the early start to the season, are the elimination of recreational boater tolls and longer hours on the canal. On March 23, 2006, Governor George E. Pataki announced that he was directing the Canal Corporation to waive recreational boater tolls as a way to spur additional tourism and recreation along the Canal System.
During the first two weeks of the season, the daily hours of operation on the Canal System will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., instead of the traditional 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. This change will allow boaters to take full advantage of daylight hours and maximize their boating experience.
Boaters also will find additional signage on the canal and enhanced customer service at the locks. In addition, the Canal Corporation is looking at regulation changes that would reduce speed limits on sections of the canal west of Oneida Lake and restrict nighttime speeds.
Waterford Mayor J. Bert Mahoney said, “Waterford is the Gateway to the Canal
System, and I'm pleased to open that Gateway today with Director Mantello, and
kick-off what is sure to be one of the most exciting canal seasons on record.”
Town of Waterford Supervisor John (Jack) Lawler said, “I congratulate the Canal Corporation on opening in time for this weekend. The Canal holds the key to revitalizing communities like Waterford throughout upstate New York. Today we celebrate the promise and possibility this waterway holds for us all.”
The Canal System will be alive with hundreds of exciting festivals and events in 2006. The Canal Corporation kicked off the season in late April with the Canal Clean Sweep, a coordinated series of cleanup and beautification activities along the Canal and the Canalway Trail. Perennial favorites such as the Waterford Canal Fest (May 13), the Medina Jazz Festival (May 21), Fairport Canal Days (June 3-4), CanalFest of the Tonawandas (July 16-23), the Oswego Harborfest (July 27-30, the Waterford Tugboat Roundup (Sept. 8-10) and the City of Rome’s Head of the Erie (Oct. 14-15) return once again, as well as a few new favorites.
New this year, The Festival on the Erie, a roving Irish music and cultural festival featuring well-known regional and local musicians will hit the waters of the canal and make stops from Waterford to Syracuse, June 2-11. The Canal Corporation also is sponsoring the first Annual CanalSplash! -- a signature weekend canal-wide celebration August 12th-13th that will feature 60 or more hikes, bikes, canoe and kayak paddles, narrated cruises, historical tours, and more.
The Erie Canalway Trail Celebration will be held Saturday, June 3, 2006 in conjunction with National Trails Day to celebrate the opening of more than 30 miles of new Canalway trail. The Canal Corporation is also once again partnering with Parks & Trails NY to co-sponsor the popular Cycle the Erie Canal bicycle tour July 9-16. With more than 245 miles of trail and access to hundreds of historic sites and attractions, the Erie Canalway Trail is fast becoming one of the nation’s premier cycling destinations.
“With more than 85 special events and festivals and a planned along the Canal System this year, there has never been a better time to experience all of the excitement,” Director Mantello said. “The Canal System today attracts visitors from all over the world and holds the potential to help revitalize our communities as more and more people discover this incredible recreational, cultural and historical resource. I invite young and old to visit and experience for themselves the incredible history and heritage along the New York State Canal System.”
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 news and information about the New York State Canal System, as well as a comprehensive Calendar of Events, please call 1-800-4CANAL4 or visit www.canals.state.ny.us.
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