Utica becomes the largest Trail Town to date, highlighting its role as a central hub for recreation, culture, and community development along the Empire State Trail
ALBANY, NY – Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) is proud to announce that the City of Utica and the Town of Lyons have been selected to join the Empire State Trail Town program, joining eleven other canal communities that have demonstrated a strong commitment to leveraging the trail as a driver for tourism, recreation, and local economic development.
Utica, the program’s largest Trail Town, is uniquely positioned to serve as a key hub along the Empire State Trail. With exceptional access to lodging, dining, arts, and recreation just steps from the trail, Utica offers visitors and residents alike a full trail experience. The city’s rich cultural diversity is reflected in its outstanding restaurants and vibrant neighborhoods, ensuring that trail users have both adventure and amenities within reach. Through its participation in the Trail Town program, Utica will strengthen connections to the Empire State/Erie Canalway Trail, Harbor Point, and the Mohawk River corridor, building on existing planning and investments to create a truly trail-centered community.
The Town of Lyons invites trail users to explore its National Register-listed Downtown Historic District, where architecture, local businesses, and canal-era landmarks meet a welcoming community. Community partners including Active People Healthy Wayne and the Lyons Main Street Program have invested in bike-friendly infrastructure, pedestrian improvements, and business engagement initiatives that connect the trail to the heart of town. Participation in the Trail Town program will help Lyons further promote active transportation, celebrate its unique three-canal heritage, and leverage the trail to enhance visitor experiences and economic vitality.
Funded by the NYS Canal Corporation, the year-long Trail Town program provides selected communities with expert guidance, community workshops, and strategic recommendations. PTNY will work with local partners to assess trail use, identify strengths, discover areas for improvement, and develop actionable plans that ensure both residents and visitors enjoy high-quality recreational opportunities. With Utica as the largest Trail Town and Lyons as a historic trail gateway, these two communities are poised to serve as shining examples of how the Empire State Trail can connect people, places, and local economies across the state. The year will culminate with a final set of recommendations for each community to use as a road map to guide future Trail Town work.
Since the completion of the Empire State Trail in 2020, the Erie and Champlain Canalway Trails have seen a surge in popularity, drawing visitors from across the country and around the world. Trail use figures from 2024 estimate that the Canalway Trail system now attracts nearly 4 million visits per year. With more visitors comes a substantial economic boost, particularly from those who stay overnight in trail communities. Preliminary findings from an upcoming report on the Empire State Trail’s economic impact show the trail generates more than 9 million visits annually.
The Empire State Trail Town program supports communities in turning this growing trail use into sustainable economic and community development. By helping towns and cities elevate the trail as a destination, the program encourages visitors to explore beyond the trail and engage with local communities.
“What excites me about Utica and Lyons is how the trail is becoming part of the story of each town,” said Paul Steely White. “Utica, with its size and energy, is a hub where people can explore the city as they travel the trail. Lyons, with its historic streets and canal heritage, gives people a reason to slow down. Both towns are making the trail a gateway to adventure, heritage, and discovery.”
“I am delighted to welcome Utica and Lyons, two iconic canalside communities along the Erie Canalway Trail, to the Trail Towns program this year,” said New York State Canal Corporation Director Ben Walsh. “I look forward to seeing how these communities elevate their connection to the trail as they work with Parks & Trails New York to maximize the benefits of this incredible recreational resource.”
“Being named a PTNY Trail Town is a huge win for Utica. Our goal now is to bridge the gap between the trail and Downtown Utica—ensuring our residents are engaged and our local businesses are ready to welcome visitors. We want every cyclist and hiker to experience the incredible dining and culture Utica has to offer, turning trail traffic into a real economic engine for our community,” said Mike Galime, Mayor of Utica.
“On behalf of the Town of Lyons, we would like to thank Parks & Trails New York for the opportunity to participate in the 2026 Empire State Trail Town program,” said Town of Lyons Supervisor, Jim Brady. We look forward to gaining a better understanding of how to leverage the trail to capitalize on more economic development opportunities and to enhance the quality of life for visitors and our residents.”
About Parks & Trails New York
Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) is the state’s leading advocate for public lands. Since 1985, we’ve been dedicated to improving our health, economy, and quality of life through the use and enjoyment of green space. With thousands of members and supporters across the state, PTNY is a leading voice in the protection of New York’s network of public lands and the creation and promotion of more than 2,000 miles of greenways, bike paths, river walks, and trails. For more information, visit www.ptny.org.
About the New York State Canal System
The New York State Canal Corporation runs the New York State Canal System, which includes the Erie, Champlain, Oswego and Cayuga-Seneca canals. Spanning 524 miles, the waterway links the Hudson River with the Great Lakes, the Finger Lakes and Lake Champlain. In 2017, the Canal Corporation celebrated the 200th anniversary of the groundbreaking for the Erie Canal, which occurred in the city of Rome on July 4, 1817. The Canal System includes the Canalway Trail, a network of approximately 400 miles of multi-use trails across upstate New York. The Canalway Trail follows the towpaths of both active and historic sections of the New York State Canal System as well as adjacent abandoned rail corridors. Together, the canals and trail create a world-class recreationway that is a vibrant, scenic, and unique New York resource. To learn more about the New York State Canal and Canalway Trail System or to obtain a free map, please call 1-800-4CANAL4 or visit the Canal Corporation’s website at www.canals.ny.gov.