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Parks
& Trails New York Applauds Governor Cuomo’s
Historic
Commitment to Complete Erie Canalway Trail
and
Create Empire State Trail by 2020
|
Empire State
Trail Initiative Closes the Gaps in the Erie Canalway Trail
and Hudson
River Valley Greenway Trail System to create
nation’s longest
multi-use trail and boost economy
Updated
Interactive Map – Optimized for Mobile Devices – Makes it Easier to Plan
Erie Canalway Trail Cycling Trips
Albany,
NY – January 2017 / Newsmaker Alert / Parks
& Trails New York, the state’s leading nonprofit advocate for parks,
trails, and greenways, applauds Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposal, announced
Tuesday (January 10) in his State of the State Address, to create the Empire
State Trail by 2020. Completing and connecting unfinished sections of the
Erie Canalway Trail and Hudson River Valley Greenway Trail System will
create the nation’s longest multi-use trail, securing New York’s place
as a national and international destination for outdoor recreation and
heritage tourism.
Completing
the Erie Canalway Trail: A Legacy Project for New York
The
Governor’s visionary proposal signifies a historic commitment to complete
the state’s premier multi-use trail, the Erie
Canalway Trail, which follows working and historic sections of the
Erie Canal for 360 miles between Buffalo and Albany. The Governor’s extraordinary
announcement dovetails with the beginning of the Bicentennial of the Erie
Canal and highlights the enduring importance of the waterway for tourism
and recreation in Upstate New York. The Canal and Canalway Trail are already
significant economic drivers. The Erie Canalway Trail attracts more than
1.6 million annual visits, with an estimated economic impact of $253 million.
Converting the remaining 72 miles of currently on-road connections to off-road
trail will elevate the trail’s appeal for visitors from around the world,
resulting in an even greater economic impact to Upstate.
“The
Governor’s vision put forth today for the Empire State Trail represents
the same sort of imagination and foresight as the vision for the Erie Canal
did 200 years ago,” said Robin Dropkin, Parks & Trails New York Executive
Director. “The Erie Canalway Trail is such a unique asset for New York
State and, once connected to the Hudson River Valley Greenway as the Empire
State Trail, seals New York’s position as a leader in outdoor recreation.”
Parks
& Trails New York’s Close the Gaps Campaign
Parks
& Trails New York has been the leading non-profit advocate for Closing
the Gaps in the Erie Canalway Trail for over a decade, working in partnership
with the NYS Canal Corporation, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic
Preservation, and numerous counties and municipalities. Parks & Trails
New York’s Cycle the Erie
Canal bike tour, now in its 19th year, attracts a growing number
of riders from across the United States and the world, demonstrating the
appeal of bicycling along one of America’s most historic and iconic waterways.
Parks & Trails New York’s range of trip-planning resources have also
helped thousands to successfully make the cross-state trip on their own.
More
information and trip-planning resources can be found at www.CycleTheErieCanal.com.
About
Parks & Trails New York
Parks
& Trails New York is the leading statewide advocate for parks and trails,
dedicated since 1985 to improving the health and quality of life of all
New Yorkers by working with community organizations and municipalities
to envision, create, promote, and protect a growing network of parks, greenways
and trails throughout the state for all to use and enjoy. For more information,
visit www.PTNY.org.
Contacts:
Parks
& Trails New York
Robin
Dropkin, Executive Director
518-434-1583 |
