ALBANY, NY (06/05/2008)(readMedia)-- The New York State Canal Corporation today announced the official opening of an eight-mile Canalway Trail segment in Cayuga and Onondaga Counties. The completion of this trail segment between Schasel Park in Port Byron and Route 31 in Jordan creates 20-miles of continuous trail along the Old Erie Canal between Camillus and Port Byron.

The trail opening was part of the Canalway Trail Celebration, a series of roughly 40 events being held across the state to mark the progress of the Canalway Trail and to promote National Trails Day, which is on Saturday, June 7, 2008.

An official ribbon cutting of the Canalway Trail segment was hosted by Canal Corporation Director Carmella R. Mantello at the Schasel Park. The event was attended by numerous State and local officials, community members and trail volunteers.

Mantello said, “Today’s ribbon cutting represents yet another step forward in our efforts to connect canal communities and encourage increased recreation, tourism and economic development along the Canalway Trail. As with many other Canalway Trail projects, the partnerships forged between the Canal Corporation and numerous organizations, including state and local governments, are vital to the Trail’s success. The Canalway Trail provides a tremendous statewide link, creating new and exciting recreational opportunities all along the scenic and historic Canal corridor.”

Senator Michael Nozzolio said, “Our canal system is playing a critical role in the economic revitalization of our communities in the Finger Lakes region. The Erie Canal is one of our area’s greatest recreational assets and I am extremely pleased with the completion of the Canalway Trail Segment in Cayuga County. This important project will help increase tourism, stimulate job creation, and strengthen the Finger Lakes’ role as a major tourist destination.”

Senator John A. DeFrancisco said, “The eight-mile multi-use trail will be a wonderful new addition to the Old Erie Canal. I applaud the Canal Corporation for its efforts and enthusiasm for this project, which will help to connect our canal communities and promote economic development within these communities."

Senator David J. Valesky said, "The Erie Canal is a defining feature of New York State. It is a symbol of how our state has grown economically and recreationally. I am pleased to see a continued revitalization of the Canal's surrounding communities and the increased effort to promote the Canal as a tourist destination."

Assemblyman Bob Oaks said, "The addition of this 8 mile stretch of the Canalway Trail gets New York State one step closer to our ultimate goal of completing the trail from Albany to Buffalo. As a frequent user of the Canalway Trail myself, I invite all area residents and visitors to experience the natural beauty along this historic waterway."

Port Byron Mayor Ronald Wilson said, “The Village of Port Byron is pleased to partner with both the Canal Corporation and the New York State Department of Transportation to complete this portion of the Canalway Trail, which is sure to attract many visitors to the area.”

Carl Ford, New York State Department of Transportation Director for the Central New York Region, said, “We are pleased to have partnered with the Canal Corporation for this segment of the Erie Canalway Trail. We look forward to working with them on future phases of this project.”

The project features a 10-foot wide crushed limestone surface trail. Informational sign kiosks were installed at the trailhead in Schasel Park, Centerport Aqueduct Park in Weedsport, and at Old Erie Canal Lock 51 near Jordan. A new pedestrian bridge was constructed to carry the trail over Cold Spring Brook at the site of the Centerport Aqueduct.

The $1.35 million project was funded with Federal Transportation Enhancement funds administered by the NYS Department of Transportation (DOT). The project was developed in partnership with Onondaga and Cayuga Counties, the Town of Brutus and the Villages of Jordan, Weedsport and Port Byron.

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 fifth 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.

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 260 miles of developed trail, the Canalway Trail is fast becoming one of the nation’s premier cycling and multi-use trail destinations.

Individuals and trail groups across the Canalway Trail Corridor are encouraged to participate in one of the Canalway Trail Celebration events planned for National Trails Day. A list of events can be found at http://www.ptny.org/canalway/celebration/index.shtml.

The New York State Canalway Trail System is comprised of a network of multi-use, recreational trails across upstate New York. The Canalway Trail System is currently comprised of four major segments: the Erie Canal Heritage Trail in Western New York; the Old Erie Canal State Park Trail in Central New York; the Mohawk-Hudson Bike Hike Trail in the Capital Region, and the Glens Falls Feeder Canal Trail in the foothills of the Adirondacks near Lake George.

The Canal Corporation is a proud supporter of the 2009 Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial, a year long celebration designed to commemorate 400 years of progress in the Empire State. For information regarding the Quadricentennial, please visit www.exploreny400.com.

For more information regarding events, recreation and vacation opportunities along the Canal System, please visit www.nyscanals.gov or call 1-800-4CANAL4.

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/.

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Posted Thursday June 05, 2008 at 12:36 pm by New York State Canal Corporation