Canal Corporation and Parks and Trails New York Announce Availability of Trail Count Report

ALBANY, NY (02/09/2009)(readMedia)-- The New York State Canal Corporation and Parks and Trails New York today announced the availability of Who's on the Trail? The Erie Canalway Trail User Count 2008, a detailed report that found that annual traffic on the Canalway Trail at several locations in Monroe County is as high as 100,000 to 200,000 people, similar to 2007 data. The 2008 Trail User Count was conducted to provide information on the number and types of users at several different locations along the Canalway Trail within eastern Monroe County.

Carmella R. Mantello, Director of the Canal Corporation, said, "The Canalway Trail not only offers tourism and recreational opportunities, but provides an economic boost to hundreds of canal communities. The volunteers who conducted the trail counts this year in Monroe County did an outstanding job, and I would like to thank them for the countless hours of work that went into collecting this important information. We would like to commend Parks and Trails New York for their continued partnership and ongoing efforts to support and enhance this recreational, tourism and economic asset."

Robin Dropkin, Executive Director of Parks and Trails New York, said, "The 2008 trail count confirms that the Erie Canalway Trail is becoming an ever more popular community amenity and draw for tourists and visitors alike. What better way to experience the magic of the canal and the warmth and charm of upstate communities than from the tranquil, traffic-free trail."

During six weeks in July and August 2008, volunteers stationed themselves at four locations within the eastern Monroe County Villages near the City of Rochester during various times throughout each weekday. In total, 99 counts were conducted.

The data collected was used to produce annual traffic estimates of approximately 200,000 users at Lock 33 in Brighton and Schoen Place. Parks and Trails New York and the New York State Canal Corporation followed a procedure developed by Dr. Greg Lindsey of Indiana University for conducting the count and calculating estimates of annual trail traffic. Dr. Lindsey has spent many years studying trails in the Indianapolis area in order to streamline the counting process while improving its validity and predictability.

The results indicated that 52 percent of trail users were bicyclists, 35 percent were walkers, 9 percent joggers, 2 percent persons with baby carriages, and 2 percent in-line skaters. Counters also noted that 61 percent of all bicyclists counted were wearing helmets.

The trail count information can be used in trail design and management to help determine trail surface and width, to factor whether stop lights at intersections are warranted and in determining mowing frequency. Trail counts can also be used regarding trail funding decisions and in marketing activities.

To download a complete copy of Who's on the Trail? The Erie Canalway Trail User Count 2008, please visit Parks and Trails New York's website at http://www.ptny.org/pdfs/canalway_trail/user%20counts/2008.pdf.

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.

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

Parks and Trails New York is the only statewide nonprofit organization working to expand, protect and promote a network of parks, trails and open space across New York State for all to enjoy. Its work includes advocacy, outreach, technical assistance to communities, bicycle tourism promotion, and bicycle tours such as Cycling the Erie Canal. For more information on Parks and Trails New York, please visit www.ptny.org.

-30-