Canalway Trail and Corridor
Trail Assessments: Groundwork for Completing Key Gaps in the Trail
The colors indicate the status of the trail. Green - existing Canalway Trail. Brown - Trail needs improvement. Blue - Route has been determined. Red - No route yet determined. VIEW LARGER MAPThe vision of a continuous recreational trail along the canal faces numerous hurdles, especially in key areas where gaps exist because of complex routing issues.
Intensive assistance provided by PTNY in these "key gap areas" has resulted in detailed assessments of eight segments, and has served as a catalyst for action to complete the trail. These reports cover location, landscape character, ownership, acquisition needs, local resources, economic opportunities, condition of and suggestions for proposed route, constraints to development, key needs and opportunities, and cost estimates. They have been produced by PTNY in partnership with the NYS Canal Corporation and the National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program.
Assessment reports for the following areas are available.
Amherst-Lockport — Starting at the eastern terminus of the completed Amherst section of the Canalway Trail, this seven-mile segment runs north along the canal through Pendleton and Lockport to the western terminus of the completed Canalway Trail at the historic locks in downtown Lockport. In the latter part, the canal itself is below grade in a deep rock cut that places water level 20 to 30 feet below street level. download pdf.
Wayne County — This 33-mile segment east of Rochester generally follows the route of the current Erie Canal, with some sections in the eastern part along the old Erie Canal. From west to east, it goes through Macedon, Palmyra, Arcadia, Lyons, Newark and Clyde. In addition to traversing many historic canal villages with completed or planned canal revitalization projects, the trail here also passes the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. download pdf.
Cayuga-Seneca Canal — The 19 miles of this section follow the canalized Seneca River from Seneca Lake State Park and downtown Geneva east through Seneca Falls to Cayuga Lake, and then north to connect to the Erie Canal. Located in the heart of the Finger Lakes Region, the completed trail will connect sites that figured prominently in the history of women's rights and abolition with one another and the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. download pdf.
Cayuga and Western Onondaga Counties — In this 28-mile segment, which follows the abandoned Old Erie Canal, parts of the trail are on the towpath. This portion of the trail will connect the historic canal communities of Montezuma, Port Byron, Weedsport, Jordan, Memphis, and Camillus, and pass near historic locks, canal walls, canal stores, and aqueducts. download pdf.
Syracuse Metropolitan Area — This segment covers 15 miles and generally follows the route of the Old Erie Canal, which is no longer visible. The Canalway Trail here will go through the heart of Syracuse and historic canal towns to the east and west of the metropolitan area. From west to east, it traverses Camillus, Geddes, Solvay, Syracuse, and DeWitt, where it will connect to the towpath trail at Old Erie Canal State Park. download pdf.
Frankfort-Ilion-Mohawk-German Flats — Approximately half way between Utica and Little Falls, the proposed trail route will connect the communities of Frankfort, Ilion, Mohawk, and German Flats. Most of the trail is routed close to the canal, which here is the canalized Mohawk River. download pdf.
Amsterdam to Schenectady County Line — Beginning one mile east of Amsterdam, this six-mile segment is particularly important because it will connect two major completed sections of the trail, thus forming a continuous fifty-mile segment from Amsterdam to Albany that includes the Mohawk-Hudson Bikeway. download pdf.
Saratoga County — This 26-mile segment from the Albany County line to the Washington County line generally follows the Old Champlain Canal, and passes through areas steeped in Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and early European settlement history. With some stretches on the historic towpath, the trail will parallel the Hudson River and traverse Waterford, Mechanicville, Stillwater, and Schuylerville. download pdf.
Oswego River/Canal — This 34-mile segment runs along the Oswego River/Canal from the Onondaga Lake Park in Onondaga County to the City of Oswego and Lake Ontario. The trail will pass through the historic cities and villages such as Phoenix, Fulton and Osweg. download pdf.
Washington County - The segment of trail between Lock C-5 and Ft. Edward. download pdf.
Saratoga County Canalway Trail Concept Plan This report, designed to present options for developing the trail in Saratoga County, expands on the Saratoga County Assessment. Updated information, cost estimates and conceptual design presentations. The full file is available but is very large (3.7M) so you can also download it by chapter or just download the executive summary.
Full Plan (3.7M)
Executive Summary (80K)
Cover Page and Table of Contents (120K)
Chapter 1-2 (210K)
Chapter 3 (410K)
Chapter 4 (760K)
Chapter 5 (1.2M)
Chapter 6 (240K)
Chapter 7 (55K)
Chapter 8 (56K)
Chapter 9 (10K)