FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 25, 2007
CANAL CORPORATION ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF SIX-MILE CANALWAY TRAIL SEGMENT IN WAYNE COUNTY
New Multi-Use Trail Establishes Trail Link between Palmyra and Newark
The New York State Canal Corporation today announced the official opening of
a six-mile Canalway Trail segment in Wayne County. The trail between Division
Street in Palmyra and the Town of Arcadia links existing Canalway Trail segments
to create over 90 miles of continuous Canalway Trail in western New York State.
An official ribbon-cutting for the Canalway Trail segment was hosted by Canal
Corporation Director Carmella R. Mantello at the site of two new pedestrian
bridges near Swift’s Landing Park. The event was attended by numerous State and
local officials, community members and trail volunteers.
“Today’s ribbon-cutting represents another step forward in our efforts to
connect canal communities and encourage increased recreation, tourism and
economic development along the entire Canal system,” said Mantello. “We are
particularly grateful for the partnerships we have forged with Wayne County, the
Towns of Palmyra and Arcadia and the Villages of Palmyra and Newark. Completion
of the Canalway Trail will provide a tremendous statewide link, creating new and
exciting recreational opportunities not only in Wayne County, but along the
entire scenic and historic Canal Corridor.”
State Senator Michael Nozzolio said, “The completion of this segment of the
Canalway Trail will help to further boost tourism and recreational opportunities
in Wayne County and will connect canal communities across Upstate New York.
Developing the Canal’s potential is an important way to capitalize on our area’s
natural resources and beauty and increased utilization of our canals and
waterways will drive business growth and create new jobs in our region. It is a
pleasure to partner with Director Carmella Mantello and the Canal Corporation on
this critical project.”
State Assemblyman Bob Oaks said, “Adding this section of the Canalway Trail in
Wayne County brings New York State one step closer to its long range goal of
completing the trail from Albany to Buffalo. As a user of the Trail, I look
forward to enjoying this newly completed portion and encourage others to use it
as well.”
The six-mile segment is part of a multi-million dollar program to complete the
Erie Canalway Trail linking the Hudson River and Lake Erie. This $2.4 million
project was funded with Federal Transportation Enhancement funds administered by
the NYS Department of Transportation.
The project features a 10-foot wide crushed limestone surface trail.
Informational sign kiosks were installed at the Garnagua Creek Spillway and at
the Whitbeck Road parking area.
With more than 250 miles of developed trail, representing more than two-thirds
completion, the Erie Canalway Trail is fast becoming one of the nation’s premier
cycling and multi-use trail destinations.
“Each new section of Canalway Trail is greeted with enthusiasm and excitement by
trail users, from local families out for an hour-long stroll to long-distance
cyclists using the trail to cross the state. The Canalway Trail is a magnificent
resource and New Yorkers are lucky to have this outstanding recreational asset,”
said Robin Dropkin, Executive Director of Parks & Trails NY, a statewide
nonprofit organization working in partnership with the New York State Canal
Corporation to expand and promote the Canalway Trail.
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.
To obtain a free map of the New York State Canalway Trail System, please call
1-800-4CANAL4. For more information about the Canalway Trail System, visit the
Canal Corporation’s Website at www.nyscanals.gov/exvac/trail/.
The New York State Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation offers a free email service called TRANSalert to its customers via email or text messaging to inform them of major incidents and emergencies that may affect travel on the Thruway or navigation on the Canal System. To sign up for the Canal TRANSalert service, customers can visit the Corporation's website at www.nyscanals.gov/tas/. To sign-up for Thruway TRANSalerts please visit the Authority's website at www.nysthruway.gov/tas/.