In The News

July, 2014

Residents Along Erie Canal are Discovering it Via Bike

WRVO Public Media

Many New Yorkers who live along the Erie Canal are rediscovering the waterway via long-distance bicycle trips. The recreational trail along the canal is becoming a well-used resource by people living in towns that were built by the canal. And they’re spending money too. A survey by Parks and Trails New York finds a million and a half people take to the Erie Canal Trail every year. A large majority, nearly 90 percent, of those are bikers.

Upcycling the Economy

Metroland

On Monday, Parks and Trails New York released a new report on the Erie Canalway Trail demonstrating an economic impact of $253 million, from a volume of 1.58 million visits a year, and supporting 3,440 jobs in local economies along the trail. The report announcement coincided with PTNY’s 16th annual Erie Canal Ride, a nearly-400-mile, eight-day event that this year attracted 500 cyclists from 35 states and four countries. The canal ride began in Buffalo and will finish in Albany on Sunday.

Study: Canal Trail has Big Benefit

Democrat & Chronicale

Erie Canal Bike Tour cyclists whizzed by Schoen Place in Pittsford Monday as Parks & Trails New York officials announced the results of a study tallying the 1.5 million visitors and $250 million in revenue that the Erie Canal brings to upstate every year.

Continue Investment in Popular Canal

Democrat & Chronicale

Though it runs some 360 miles without a crossroads, the Erie Canal still has many important intersections: recreation and economic impact, for example, or tourism and historic attraction. Its spiraling popularity must be matched by legislative support in the form of passage of pending legislation to extend its designation as a National Heritage Corridor.

New Reports Touts Economic Importance of Erie Canalway Trail

Genesee Valley Penny Saver

Parks & Trails New York (PTNY), the state’s leading not-for-profit park and trail advocacy organization, today announced the release of its new report, The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail: An Assessment and User Profile of New York’s Longest Multi-use Trail. This first comprehensive study of the Erie Canalway Trail (ECT) visitor demonstrates an annual trail traffic volume of more than 1.58 million visits per year, which generates an economic impact of approximately $253 million and supports 3,440 jobs in the local economies within the trail corridor.

May, 2014

GE Volunteers To Help Make Saratoga Trail ADA Accessible on I Love My Park Day

Saratoga Spa State Park will get one step closer to seeing a long-held dream come true on May 3, when work done by GE volunteers and others will increase the accessibility of the one-mile Ferndell Trail. GE volunteers will work with Friends of Saratoga Spa State Park and park staff to widen the trail in several locations. The work will continue later this year when GE volunteers, the Friends and park staff will make the trail completely handicapped accessible with the addition of a 25-foot pedestrian bridge and new benches every 1000 feet, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.

Pop Group Capital Cities and L.L. Bean

Campus Consciousness Tour to pitch in at a New York State Park - Pop group Capital Cities and the larger-than-life L.L.Bean Bootmobile will make a stop in the Capital Region to participate in the third annual I Love My Park Day on Saturday, May 3. Capital Cities is currently headlining REVERB’s Campus Consciousness Tour presented by L.L.Bean. Capital Cities, REVERB, and L.L.Bean, along with student outing clubs and environmental groups, are taking part in community service projects that protect and beautify natural spaces.

March, 2014

Supreme Court Decision On Rail Trails Does Not Affect NYS Trails

The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision, Marvin M. Brandt Revocable Trust et al. v. United States, represents a setback for the rail trail movement. However, contrary to several media reports, the Court’s decision is quite limited in scope, and it will have no effect on existing or planned rail trails in New York State.

Report Cites Additional Progress In “Closing The Gaps” In Erie Canalway Trail

Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) and the Canalway Trails Association New York (CTANY) have released their fourth annual report, Closing the Gaps: A Progress Report on the Erie Canalway Trail 2013. PTNY and CTANY note that 2013 was a year of many accomplishments in efforts to close the remaining 83 miles of gaps in the 360-mile trail that extends from Buffalo to Albany: Seven miles of trail were constructed, six miles between Newark and Lyons in Wayne County and one mile in the City of Little Falls.

Senators Push For Dedicated Funding For Bicyclists And Pedestrian Safety Infrastructure

A group of 20 Senators are requesting $20 million in dedicated funding for bicycle and pedestrian safety and infrastructure to be included in SFY 2014-15 and beyond. The Senators have signed on to a letter circulated by Senator Martin Malavé Dilan (D-18) which asks for Senate leadership to include the funding in the chamber’s one-house, budget bill. Senator Dilan’s letter recognizes that access to active transportation is essential for all New Yorkers, and dedicated funding for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure represents an investment in safety, quality of life, community health, and business.

February, 2014

New Yorkers Call On Legislators To Fund State Parks And Historic Sites

New Yorkers from across the state are coming together at the State Capitol on February 26 for the 8th annual Park Advocacy Day to urge policymakers to protect and preserve New York’s state parks. Representatives from park friends groups, environmental organizations, local parks, and educational organizations will be in attendance. Park advocates will urge state lawmakers to support Governor Andrew Cuomo’s $90 million capital investment in the state park system, increase operating funds for state parks and historic sites, and enhance the once robust Environmental Protection Fund.

New Yorkers Call On Legislators To Fund Pedestrian And Bicycling Projects

New Yorkers for Active Transportation (NY4AT) convened around the Empire State Plaza this week to meet with legislators calling on them to dedicate funding to improve New York’s pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure. The advocacy day is a follow up to other efforts of the group to deliver the same message to the Governor’s Office and the New York State Department of Transportation through a postcard campaign and a letter, sent in December 2013, from more than 1300 individuals and 50 organizations representing environmental, health, aging, equity, and transportation groups.

January, 2014

Parks & Trails New York Awards Grants To Strengthen Park And Trail Groups Around The State

The statewide advocacy group Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) today awarded almost $15,000 in Growing the Grassroots capacity building grants to eight not-for-profit park and trail organizations. The groups will use the funds to increase organizational visibility, generate community support, grow membership, and attract additional volunteers.

Parks & Trails New York Applauds Governor Cuomo's Proposed Investment In Parks And Environment Budget

Governor Cuomo’s budget proposal for State FY 2014-2015 includes important investments in state parks infrastructure and environmental programs that will help grow the economy, promote tourism, and enhance the quality of life for all New Yorkers.

New Yorkers Call On Governor Cuomo To Fund Pedestrian And Bicycling Projects

More than 50 organizations, 1,300 Postcards, one message—NYS Budget needs dedicated bike/ped funding—New Yorkers for Active Transportation (NY4AT) delivered a united message to Governor Cuomo this afternoon: more than 1,300 postcards, from New Yorkers across the state, calling on the Governor to dedicate funding to improve New York’s pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure. The postcard delivery is a follow‐up to a letter, sent in December 2013, from more than 50 organizations representing environmental, health, aging, equity, and transportation groups.

Statement From Parks & Trails New York On Governor Cuomo's 2014 State Of The State Address

In today's State of the State address, Governor Cuomo reinforced his commitment to the revitalization of New York’s world-class state park system. We applaud the Governor’s continued investment in these treasured landscapes and cultural landmarks for New Yorkers today and for future generations.