Planning is underway for the Seventh Annual Canalway Trail Celebration, which is set to coincide with National Trails Day on Saturday, June 5, 2010. The Canalway Trail Celebration, a coordinated series of local events in communities all along the Canalway Trail System, is designed to increase awareness and enjoyment of the trail as a world-class recreation resource and tourist destination for New Yorkers and visitors alike.

Last year civic organizations, municipalities and other groups organized almost 60 events – a record number - in communities along the Canalway Trail, which drew thousands of trail and canal enthusiasts.

We invite and encourage you to plan festivities and special events in your community to recognize the growing prominence of the Canalway Trail and the New York State Canal System. Ideas for events are limited only by your imagination and could include:

• history, nature or photography walks
• group bicycle rides
• flower, shrub and tree plantings
• trail cleanups
• canoe and kayak outings
• festivals and fairs
• geocaching activities

There may even be opportunities to coordinate events already being planned in your area as part of the Canalway Trail Celebration. Events do not have to be on June 5; they could be on Sunday or even a week earlier or later.

The NYS Canal Corporation and Parks &Trails New York will offer technical support and coordination, promote your event through a statewide press release, and provide a template for local publicity. 

We hope that you and your community will participate in the 2009 Canalway Trail Celebration.  Please submit your completed event registration form (see link above) April 2, 2010, to ensure receipt of free T-shirts and inclusion in the event listing on this website. Information packets and T- shirts will be sent to event organizers in May.  If you have questions, please contact Wally Elton at 518-434-1583 or welton@ptny.org.

The Canalway Trail Celebration is organized by Parks and Trails New York, the New York State Canal Corporation, and the Canalway Trails Association New York (CTANY), with additional support from the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

National Trails Day is America’s largest single trails and outdoor celebration, held each year on the first Saturday in June, with more than 1,000 trail events nationwide.

29 Elk Street * Albany, NY 12207 * (ph) 518-434-1583 * (fax) 518-427-0067 * ptny@ptny.org
Parks & Trails New York is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization as defined by the IRS.