New York State Canal System's 186th Consecutive Navigation Season Officially Begins May 1

ALBANY, NY (04/30/2010)(readMedia)-- The New York State Canal Corporation today announced that the New York State Canal System will open for the 186th consecutive navigation season at 7 a.m. on May 1, 2010.

"The New York State Canal System holds great historical significance to the State of New York, as well as providing an economic boost to the hundreds of communities lining the 524-mile waterway that stretches across much of Upstate," said Governor David A. Paterson. "As we prepare to celebrate another season along the Canal System, I encourage all New Yorkers to enjoy the many recreational facets the Canal System has to offer."

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, "Reopening New York's Canal System will create recreational opportunities and a tourist attraction that reflects the history and rich character of Upstate New York. This will help preserve our canal system, promote our natural heritage, and maintain access for our communities and tourists alike."

Congressman Paul D. Tonko said, "The opening of the New York State Canal System signifies the start of the season in which local residents and tourists alike can enjoy one of New York's greatest assets. It's also a celebration of our heritage, a reminder of our ancestors who built the Canal System as an economic engine -- one that powered the westward movement of American settlers and unlocked the great potential of our nation."

Assemblyman Ron Canestrari said, "New York's Canal System represents a direct link to the history of this great State and the entire country. The opening of this legendary system provides an important economic boost to communities along the canals as well as numerous recreational opportunities and events which will bring the canal alive this summer. I encourage all New Yorkers to consider visiting the Canal System this year."

Canal Corporation Director Carmella R. Mantello said, "The New York State Canal System is pleased to welcome visitors from across the nation and world for yet another navigation season. The Canal System offers tremendous recreational opportunities to tourists and residents alike and is a vital economic resource to the hundreds of quaint communities lining the 524-mile waterway. Corporation employees have been hard at work over the winter months undertaking critical maintenance work to prepare the System for this season. With more than 300 exciting events and festivals planned, we encourage everyone to enjoy the Canal System this year."

Town of Waterford Supervisor John E. Lawler said, "The positive partnership between the Town of Waterford and the Canal Corporation allows each new boating season to be more successful than the last. As we have in the past and will continue to do, Waterford and its residents are eager to welcome the diverse group of boaters that choose Waterford as one of the stops along their journey."

Village of Waterford Mayor J. Bert Mahoney said, "As the gateway to the New York State Canal System, we look forward to the reopening of the waterway each year. I am excited to join with the Canal Corporation today to kick off what is sure to be a great canal navigation season. To mark the opening, I encourage everyone to join us in Waterford next weekend to celebrate the 24th Annual Canal Festival."

More than 300 special events and festivals are planned along the Canal System in 2010, including local annual favorites such as the Waterford Canal Fest (May 8), Fairport Canal Days (June 4-6), Glens Falls Feeder Canal Canoe Race (June 5), CanalFest of the Tonawandas (July 18-25), Harborfest in Oswego (July 22-25), and the Waterford Tugboat Roundup (September 10-12) return once again, as well as many new soon to be favorites.

In addition, the 7th Annual Erie Canalway Trail Celebration will be held on Saturday, June 5 in conjunction with National Trails Day. With more than 270 miles of Trail completed, and access to hundreds of historic sites and attractions, the Erie Canalway Trail is fast becoming one of the nation's premier cycling destinations.

This year also marks the 12th anniversary of Cycling the Erie Canal bicycle tour, taking place from July 11-18. The Canal Corporation is once again partnering with Parks & Trails NY to co-sponsor the eight-day, 400-mile, recreational bike tour from Buffalo to Albany along the historic and scenic Erie Canal. The tour continuously draws over 500 riders from many states and several foreign countries.

The Canal Corporation, in partnership with Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, is once again sponsoring the 5th Annual CanalSplash!, a signature canal-wide celebration from August 13-15 that will feature hikes, bikes, canoe and kayak paddles, narrated cruises, historical tours, canal-side festivals, fireworks and more. In 2009, more than 120 events took place all along the Canal Corridor throughout the weekend celebration.

Also, in 2010, the World Canals Conference will convene upon Rochester from September 19-24. During the nearly week long conference, the Canal System will take center stage as hundreds of canal enthusiasts from around the world will gather in Rochester to experience all that New York's Canal System has to offer and to showcase the numerous investments New York State has made in the Canal System over the past decade.

The complete 2010 Calendar of Events is available on the Corporation's website at: www.nyscanals.gov/exvac/calendar/index.html.

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.

The New York State Canal Corporation is a subsidiary of the New York State Thruway Authority (Authority). Since 1992, following State legislation transferring the Canal System from the New York State Department of Transportation to the Authority, Canal operating and maintenance activities have been supported by Thruway toll revenue.

For boating information, vacation opportunities and news about the New York State 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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