In The News

September, 2015

Going Places, Near & Far: Cycle the Erie Canal Tour Affords Extraordinary View of 'Real America'

The Island Now

Karen Rubin, one of over 600 riders on this year's Cycle the Erie Canal Tour, published this colorful account of her experience in this online Long Island news source. Her detailing of the canalway's vibrant history and tourism combined with her personal interactions with the diverse other riders is very encouraging for anyone considering cycling any length of the trail.

Schumer: City parks, waterfronts need more money

Executive Director, Robin Dropkin, spoke on behalf of Parks & Trails New York at the Corning Preserve along Albany's Hudson River waterfront in support of Sen. Charles Schumer's introduction of a bill to address the lack of federal funds that community parks and waterfronts receive.

Letter to the Editor: State parks need citizen stewards

Albany Times Union

A letter commending our state parks from our Director of Parks Program & Government Relations, Laura DiBetta, in response to an August 17th article about the Peerless Pool in Saratoga Spa State Park.

August, 2015

Erie Canal still key to N.Y. economy

A letter to the editor of the Albany Times Union from Robin Dropkin, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York in response to an article from early August that downplayed the significance of the Erie Canal for New York State.

Erie Canal's value greatly understated

Auburn Citizen (auburnpub.com)

This guest column from an online feature of a Western New York publication addresses the questioning of investment of the Erie Canal by detailing its historic significance and economic impact while quoting figures from a report generated by Parks & Trails New York.

July, 2015

Cyclist celebrates his 80th birthday cycling 80 miles

Rochester Democrat & Chronicle

Ralph Wilson celebrated his 80th birthday cycling 80 miles along the Erie Canal, ending on Sunday, 7/19 in Fairport, NY.

New website promotes bicycle tours of New York's Erie Canal

Utica Observer-Dispatch

One of many sources featuring the launch of www.CycleTheErieCanal.com which coincided with the annual bike tour.

Annual Tour Takes Hundreds of Cyclists from Buffalo to Albany

Schenectady Daily Gazette

Article covering the final days of the tour as cyclists make their way into the Capital Region.

In stampede of bikes, riders gain perspective through Cycle the Erie Canal

TheDailyNewsOnline.com

As a wave of cyclists passed through a landscape dominated by green fields, barns and silos, the dozens who had stopped up ahead were cause for concern. There were no injuries, just riders taking a break to walk down to the Culvert Road underpass or reading a sign explaining the significance of the “road under the canal” beneath them.

Erie Canal cyclists move through Oneida

Oneida Daily Dispatch

Between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Thursday, motorists near the Erie Canal Path on the north side of Oneida, probably saw lots of bicyclists crossing Route 316 or coming south on state Route 46, heading into the city for lunch or continuing along the trail toward Rome.

600 cyclists roll into Syracuse on Erie Canal tour, camp in Burnet Park

SYRACUSE.COM

If you stop by Burnet Park in Syracuse this evening, you will see hundreds of tents set up on the grass. The tents are home for nearly 600 bike riders who are participating in the 17th annual Cycle the Erie Canal Tour, an eight-day, 400-mile bicycle tour from Buffalo to Albany. Syracuse is the midpoint.

Erie Canal bike tour week begins

Times Union Blog

An Capital Confidential Blog post from the Albany Times Union features a collection of quotes for the annual Erie Canal cycling tour which began Sunday. Governor Cuomo, Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton, and PTNY's Executive Director, Robin Dropkin, share their enthusiasm for the tour in its 17th year.

Erie Canal cyclists stop and visit Rochester

Democrat & Chronicle

A day into a 400-mile tour, cyclists were able to catch their breath, re-hydrate and see a little bit of what Rochester has to offer.

More than 600 cyclists are riding from Buffalo to Albany with a stop in Lockport.

Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

Article covering the first day of the 400-mile tour from Buffalo to Albany including a statement from Governor Cuomo.

Ride 400 miles on the Erie Canal by bike

Buffalo News

It’s a cycling tour with history. Or a history tour via bicycle.

Throw in advocacy for parks and trails along with a case study in landscape and community and you have the beginnings to describe the weeklong Cycle the Erie Canal event.

June, 2015

Erie Canal Bike Tour Attracts Those Who Want Leisurely Ride

Ithaca.com

This year’s “Cycle the Erie Canal” bike tour begins in Buffalo on July 12 and ends eight days later in Albany on July 19. Over the tour’s course, 500 riders cover nearly 400 miles with plenty of time to take in the sights along the way.

Ithaca landscape architect honored as park and trail hero

Ithaca landscape architect Rick Manning was one of eight park and trail heroes honored by Parks & Trails New York at an Albany reception.

Moving Backwards

Metroland

These are things that make our communities better places—sidewalks, bike lanes, and multi-use trails, said PTNY Project Director Jamie Meerdink, in this article on attempts to block federal funding for active transportation projects.

March, 2015

A Milestone On The Erie Canal Trail

Times Union

Cyclists and pedestrians will have more miles this year than ever on the Erie Canalway Trail. Trail advocates report that 281 miles of the 360-mile Erie Canalway Trail — 78 percent — are now open to the public between Albany and Buffalo. Parks & Trails New York and the Canalway Trails Association New York unveiled the number in their fifth annual report, Closing the Gaps: A Progress Report on the Erie Canalway Trail 2014.

Parks Invest a Small Price for Benefit

The Daily Gazette

We were disappointed to read the March 4 editorial (“State has higher priorities for taxpayer money than parks”) which pit investment in state parks against investment in other worthy programs. On the contrary, parks — like our schools and libraries — are essential community resources and an integral part of the state’s infrastructure. Our iconic park system is the oldest in the nation, and one of the most heavily visited, generating $2 billion annually to the economy — a 5-to-1 return on investment — and supporting 20,000 jobs, exclusive of park employees. The tourism dollars generated by parks are critical, especially to struggling upstate economies.