FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 20, 2006
CANAL CORPORATION TO TRANSFER NEARLY 19 ACRES IN
FAYETTEVILLE TO STATE PARKS
Partnership Will Enhance Recreation, Ensure Access for Future Generations
Carmella R. Mantello, Director of the New York State Canal Corporation, announced today the approval for the transfer of approximately 18.75 acres of Canal land in the Village of Fayetteville, Onondaga County, to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP). The action was approved by the Canal Corporation Board at a recent meeting.
“This land transfer is another important step in allowing Canal communities like Fayetteville to realize their vision for their future by embracing the abundant natural, cultural and historical resources available right here in New York,” Director Mantello said. “The Canal Corporation is pleased to partner with State Parks, the Village of Fayetteville and local elected officials to help maximize the recreational potential of this property and benefit local residents, while ensuring its protection for future generations.”
The land, known as the Fayetteville Feeder lands, currently includes a trail and is a portion of the 36-mile Old Erie Canal State Historic Park operated by OPRHP and designated a National Recreational Trail by the National Parks Service. The property to be transferred has been maintained and managed by OPRHP since 1977 under a Canal Corporation-issued permit. The transfer will help to create a continuous public trail system along the Canal as OPRHP plans to improve the trailhead to connect to the Village of Fayetteville's Limestone Plaza.
In addition to allowing the trail improvements, the transfer will increase public access and new opportunities for canal recreation, assist in the promotion of tourism, and preserve and enhance a historic site. The Canal Corporation will retain ownership of the dam located on the property necessary for canal water management purposes.
State Assemblyman Jeff Brown said, “Today is proof that, with hard work, anything can happen. I am pleased that Mayor Olson brought this matter to my attention and it as been a pleasure to have partnered with him to move forward with the Village’s plans to turn this property into a canal-side park. We appreciate the cooperation of the Canal Corporation, and we look forward to working with the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation on this exciting project.”
Mark Olson, Mayor of the Village of Fayetteville, said, “I want to personally thank the State Canal Corporation Director Carmella Mantello, State Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro and Assemblyman Jeff Brown for getting this land transfer done. It took over 25 years and five mayors to transfer this land after it was said it couldn't be done. On behalf of the residents of Fayetteville I want to personally thank them both and I look forward to the day when the residents from our community can enjoy the beauty and splendor of this new waterfront jewel in the Village of Fayetteville.”
State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Bernadette Castro said, “The Canal Corporation continues to be a valuable partner to State Parks as we work together to increase trails and parklands for communities across New York. Here in the Village of Fayetteville, this land transfer will provide additional recreational opportunities as part of the Old Erie Canal State Historic Park and help safeguard the many outdoor resources in the region.”
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 waterways link the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes and the Niagara River with communities rich in history and culture.
The Canal Corporation’s goal is to construct a Canalway Trail linking all four canals of the Canal System through a walking, biking and hiking trail. To date, more than 245 miles of trail have been constructed. When completed in 2009, the 348-mile Erie Canalway Trail will be the longest multi-use recreational trail in the U.S.
For more information on the New York State Canal System, please call 1-800-4CANAL4 or visit the Canal Corporation’s website at www.canals.state.ny.us.