In The News

April, 2017

Volunteers sought for Canal Clean Sweep

Lockport Journal

To celebrate Earth Day and the kick off of the canal navigation season, volunteer groups and individuals are invited to participate in the 12th annual Canal Clean Sweep, the spring cleaning of the New York Canal System and Canalway Trail, scheduled for the weekend of April 21 to 23.

March, 2017

Supporters: Empire State Trail would put New York on national bicycling map

Daily Gazette

The 750-mile Empire State Trail would have a major economic impact, putting New York on the national map of bicycling destinations, supporters said Monday as they pushed to include funding for it in the 2018 state budget. The plan's fate remains uncertain, though, despite it having been ballyhooed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in January, with each of the three parties to final state budget negotiations having a different stance.

NY trail may face dead end with Legislature

Rochester Democrat & Chronicle

Neither the Democratic-led Assembly nor the Republican-controlled Senate are showing much support for Gov. Andrew Cuomo's $200 million proposal to build a 750-mile trail across New York — which would be the largest state-owned trail in the nation. Advocates for the trail rallied Monday at the state Capitol in support of the proposal to try to sway lawmakers.

Volunteers may register to spruce up parks on May 6

The Altamont Enterprise

Small, Albany-area publication promoting this year's I Love My Park Day for specific locations throughout the Capital Region.

No longer the roads less traveled

The Journal News (lohud.com)

PTNY's Project Coordinator, Greg Francese, is quoted in this piece from a Hudson Valley online source touting the benefits of trails and the outdoors, as well as the challenges faced due to their increasing use.

Proposed Hiking Trail Brings Together Manhattan, Buffalo, & Canada

WFUV 90.7

Brief news piece about the Empire State Trail featuring a sound clip from a radio interview with PTNY's Project Coordinator, Greg Francese.

'Parks and Trails' group to urge NY lawmakers to OK Cuomo's $53M mega-trail plan

NewYorkUpstate.com

Outdoor enthusiasts and activists from across New York will gather in Albany to urge state lawmakers to back Gov. Andrew Cuomo's plan for a 750-mile trail system.

February, 2017

750-mile Empire Trail holds promise across New York state

Democrat & Chronicle

This extensive coverage of the proposed Empire State Trail and closing the gaps of the Erie Canalway Trail features multiple quotes from Parks & Trails New York staff, businesses who have benefited from the tourism, as well as legislators and other organizations in support of the east-west, north-south, 750-mile endeavor.

Cuomo's $200M trail project gets close scrutiny from lawmakers

The Daily Star

Environmental and recreation groups strongly supportive of Empire State Trail.

Letter: Empire State Trail will be major recreational asset

Albany Times Union

A letter to the editor from Parks & Trails New York's Executive Director, Robin Dropkin in support of the economic benefits of the proposed 750-mile Empire State Trail.

Outdoors: Empire State Trail details still murky

Albany Times Union

A promo for PTNY's March 2 Trails Advocacy Day is featured alongside this article looking more in-depth to the proposed Empire State Trail as well as questions raised regarding the Governor's plan.

January, 2017

Canal Clean Sweep 2017: Join us Earth Day weekend

Madison County Courier

Celebrate Earth Day & the Erie Canal bicentennial by organizing an event for the 2017 Canal Clean Sweep April 21 through 23. Event registration is now open.

Registration opens for Cycle the Erie Canal

Webster Post

Registration is open for Parks and Trails New York's 19th annual Cycle the Erie Canal tour, an opportunity to bike across the state and take in the history of the canal that transformed America. The eight-day, 400-mile recreational bicycle tour from Buffalo to Albany is scheduled July 9-16. This year marks the start of the bicentennial celebration for the Erie Canal.

OUR VIEW: Empire State Trail would benefit upstate

Union Sun & Journal

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s suggested Empire State Trail is a bright idea. There is much potential in a plan to “connect” Buffalo, Albany, the north country and Manhattan, for bikers, hikers and off-road explorers generally.

Trail system could bring more bicycle tourists to region

Post Star

Lake George, Saratoga Springs and Fort Ticonderoga will be stops on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed “Empire State Trail,” a statewide system of bicycle and walking trails. Tourism officials and trail advocates say the proposed 750-mile trail system, about half of which already exists, will expand an already robust bicycle touring economy in the region.

Grassroots groups for NY state parks raised $9M in a year

Times Herald Record

A new report shows grassroots groups supporting New York state parks raise millions of dollars a year. The report on non-profit "friends" organizations that support state parks and historic sites says the groups raised $9 million in 2015. The report from Parks & Trails New York also found that the groups donated 10,000 volunteer hours.

Governor Wants to Make New York a Hiking and Cycling Paradise

Skift Travel News

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is proposing to complete and connect two greenway trails crisscrossing the state from Manhattan to Canada and from Albany to Buffalo to create a 750-mile paved biking and hiking route that will be marketed as a national tourist destination.

New York eyes largest state-run trail in U.S.

Press Connects

Cuomo pitches 750-mile biking-hiking trail plan for NY state

Fox News

ALBANY, N.Y. – New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is proposing to complete and connect two greenway trails crisscrossing the state from Manhattan to Canada and from Albany to Buffalo to create a 750-mile paved biking and hiking route that will be marketed as a national tourist destination.

Editorial: Always there for our area parks

Press Republican

An editorial from Plattsburgh, NY applauds the results of our 2016 You Gotta Have Friends annual report.