FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 15, 2006
CANAL CORPORATION AND PARKS & TRAILS NY ANNOUNCE STATEWIDE CANALWAY TRAIL CELEBRATION TO TAKE PLACE JUNE 3
Celebration in Conjunction with National Trails Day Will Highlight New York’s Premier Recreational Trail
The New York State Canal Corporation and Parks & Trails New York
today announced the third annual Canalway Trail Celebration will take place on
National Trails Day, June 3, 2006. The Celebration is a coordinated series of
local events centered on the communities located along the Canalway Trail
System.
Parades, canoe and kayak races, guided history and nature walks, golf
tournaments, photo contests, craft fairs, the Chittenango Ozfest, historical
re-enactments, showboating, and flag relays are planned for communities across
the state along the Canalway Trail. Several Adopt-a-Trail groups will also be
planting flowers and organizing clean ups.
New this year is “The Festival on The Erie.” Beginning on June 2 in Waterford
and ending on June 11 in Syracuse, the Connecticut-based “Boys of Wexford” will
honor the Irish workers that built the Canal, with song, dance and camaraderie
as they boat along the Canal. On the evening of June 3, the group will perform
at the Riverfront Park in Amsterdam.
In keeping with this year’s theme, “Celebrate your Canalway Trail,” local
communities are planning festivities and special events to recognize the growing
prominence of the Erie Canalway Corridor as a world-class recreationway and
tourist destination for visitors and residents. With more than 245 miles of
developed trail, the Erie Canalway Trail is fast becoming one of the nation’s
premier cycling and multi-use trail destinations.
Carmella R. Mantello, Director of the New York State Canal Corporation said,
“New York’s Canalway Trail holds the potential to help invigorate local
economies and bring more tourism and revenue to communities across New York
State. The Canal Corporation is proud to help sponsor this year’s Canalway Trail
Celebration and we encourage residents from throughout New York State to come
and take advantage of this tremendous recreational resource in your own
backyard.”
Robin Dropkin, Executive Director of Parks and Trails New York said, "The
Canalway Trail Celebration is a great way for communities to express their
enthusiasm for the many benefits that the Canalway Trail brings.”
Doris Wolf, President of Canalway Trails Association New York said, “It’s
exciting to see so many communities eager to participate. We will have a wide
range of events occurring on the same day across the entire Canalway Trail
system. There will truly be something for everyone along the Canalway Trail.”
"Celebrate Your Canalway Trail” is organized by Parks & Trails
New York, The New York State Canal Corporation, and the Canalway Trails
Association New York, with support from the Erie Canalway National Heritage
Corridor.
National Trails Day is America’s largest annual single-day trails and outdoor
celebration, held each year since 1993 on the first Saturday in June, with more
than 1,000 trail events nationwide. In keeping with the goals of National Trails
Day, the third annual Canalway Trail Celebration is designed to increase the
awareness of the Canalway Trail, thank the many volunteers who provide support
for the trail throughout the year, and introduce everyone to the many enjoyments
and benefits of the Canalway Trail.
Still time to organize an event
It is still not too late to become involved by organizing a Celebration event or
by volunteering to assist with the maintenance and promotion of the Canalway
Trail throughout the year as a Canalway Trail Adopter. For a full listing of
events and more information on the Celebration, the Canalway Trails Association
New York, and the Adopt-a-Trail Program, contact Parks & Trails New York at
518-434-1583 or visit www.ptny.org.
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 and the Adopt-a-Trail Program, please visit the Canal Corporation’s Website at www.canals.state.ny.us/canalwaytrail/.
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