Press Releases

January, 2023

Statement from Parks & Trails New York on Gov. Kathy Hochul's 2023 State of the State

(ALBANY, NY) - At today’s State of the State address, Governor Hochul charted a path for continuing the great investments in recent years that New York State has made in our parks, public lands, and environmental stewardship over the past decade.

Registration Opens for Cycle the Erie Canal 2023

ALBANY, NY – Registration is now open for Parks & Trails New York’s 25th annual Cycle the Erie Canal tour, an unforgettable opportunity to bike across New York State and take in the rich history of the legendary canal that transformed America. The eight-day, 400-mile recreational bicycle tour from Buffalo to Albany is scheduled for July 9-16, 2023. There is also an option to ride only the first four days from Buffalo to Syracuse.

December, 2022

Brockport Empire State Trail Town Action Plan Released

New report summarizes Brockport’s activity as the first Empire State Trail Town, and outlines recommendations for village to harness visitation to the Erie Canalway Trail to support and advance local tourism and the outdoor recreation economy

Long-Time Parks & Trails New York Executive Director Robin Dropkin to Retire in 2023

(ALBANY, NY) – Parks & Trails New York announced the planned retirement in 2023 of its long-time Executive Director, and distinguished environmental advocate, Robin Dropkin.

October, 2022

Parks & Trails New York Announces Support for "Open Spaces for All" Plan

ALBANY, NY (OCTOBER 13, 2022)— Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) is pleased to support Open Spaces for All, a report issued by the Open Space Institute (OSI), in partnership with the New York Outdoor Recreation Coalition (NYORC), of which PTNY is a member. The Open Spaces for All report presents a comprehensive set of state-level recommendations designed to improve equity and access to parks and other open spaces for residents and visitors of New York State.

July, 2022

Cyclists from 40 states to make 400-mile cross-state bicycle trip

ALBANY, N.Y. – After holding the tour at reduced capacity in 2021 due to the pandemic, the annual eight-day, cross-state Cycle the Erie Canal bike tour returns at full capacity this year, departing from Buffalo on July 10 and arriving in Albany eight days later on July 17. 750 cyclists from 40 states will cross New York State as part of the 24th Cycle the Erie Canal tour organized by the statewide nonprofit Parks & Trails New York.

May, 2022

Governor Hochul Announces $900,000 in Grants Awarded to State Parks, Trails, Historic Sites and Public Lands Partner Organizations

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $900,000 in grants to support 27 not-for-profit organizations involved with stewardship of state parks, trails, historic sites and public lands. The grants support partner group efforts to raise private funds for capital projects, perform maintenance and beautification undertakings, provide educational programming, and promote public use of the parks through hosting of special events.

Parks & Trails New York announces $50,000 in grants awarded to Genesee Valley Trail Town communities

Parks & Trails New York announced the recipients of $50,000 in grants to support communities participating in the Genesee Valley Trail Town initiative. The grants will enable the ten Genesee Valley Trail Towns to take advantage of visitation to the Genesee Valley Greenway and other outdoor recreational resources in the area, foster place-making efforts, create safer streets for cyclists and pedestrians in Trail Town communities, and implement projects identified in the Genesee Valley Trail Town Initiative’s community action plans.

April, 2022

New York’s Largest Earth Day Celebration Kicks Off Friday, April 22

Volunteer groups across New York State are making final preparations for the 17th annual Canal Clean Sweep, April 22-24, 2022. Canal Clean Sweep is an annual clean-up event held across the NYS Canal system and Canalway Trail. More than 120 Clean Sweep events are scheduled across the 400-mile-long Canalway Trail system and the 524-mile-long Canal system, providing opportunities for thousands of residents to give back to their local communities and to show pride in one of New York’s most iconic cultural and recreational resources.

Popular Canalway Trail system drew 3.3 million visits in 2021

ALBANY, NY – The Erie Canalway Trail, the east-west leg of New York’s 750-mile Empire State Trail, was visited more than 3 million times during 2021, according to the Who’s on the Trail: Canalway Trail 2021 report from Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) and the New York State Canal Corporation (NYSCC).