Awards Give Boost to Greenway Trails Across the State

Over our years of advocacy, PTNY has worked hard to demonstrate the connection between parks and trails and economic development – and New York State has listened!

Check out this sampling of greenway trails that were awarded funding through Round XII of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative at the end of 2022. From improved routing of the Empire State Trail through Rome, to the extension of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, to upgraded trailheads across the state, greenway trails are getting a big boost this year.

Awards for Improvements to the Erie Canalway Trail/Empire State Trail:

Empire State/Erie Canal Trail Priority Towpath Improvements (City of Rome, Oneida County)

The City of Rome will rehabilitate the existing off-road section of the NYS Empire State Trail/Erie Canalway Trail (EST/ECT) located between the Erie Canal Village Museum and South Charles Street in the City of Rome. The project will design and construct a 10-foot-wide stone dust off-road ADA compliant multi-use trail. The trail provides residents and tourists with a critical link between historic sites and attractions and the established business district in the City.

Award: $384,300

Canalway Improvements (Village of Pittsford, Monroe County)

The Village of Pittsford will pursue improvements along the Erie Canal Trail adjoining Schoen Place. Enhancements will include stabilization and adjacent roadway improvements to further support the local businesses, tourists, and recreational users along the Canalway.

Award: $300,000

Gravino Park Canal Access Improvements (Town of Macedon, Wayne County)

The Town of Macedon will make various enhancements to Gravino Park in an effort to improve recreational amenities and overall accessibility to the park. Enhancements include a variety of amenities such as a playground, parking, bathrooms, and general gathering spaces. Funding awarded through the Canalway Grant Program for this project will specifically include funds for sidewalk and intersection improvements that will create access between the Erie Canal, Canal/Empire State Trail, ABX Innovative Packaging Solutions, and Downtown Macedon. All amenities will be ADA accessible and inclusive in nature.

Award: $150,000

Canal Access and Parking Improvements (Village of Spencerport, Monroe County)

The Village of Spencerport will make enhancements to an existing parking area that will increase and improve access to Lester Merz Park, the Erie Canalway Trail, and the Village’s downtown. In addition to enabling increased levels of parking, the area will have a park-like appearance with landscaping, greenspace, benches, and electric vehicle charging stations.

Award: $148,475

Awards for Other NYS Greenway Trails:

Harlem Valley Rail Trail / Village of Chatham to the Village of Philmont Planning Project (Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association, Inc., Columbia County)

The Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association will complete the planning, surveying, bridge engineering, design, wetland studies, permitting and construction documents for a section of abandoned railbed to become the northern terminus of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. This section will run from the Village of Chatham to the Village of Philmont.

Award: $375,000

The Riverline (Western New York Land Conservancy, Erie County)

The Western New York Land Conservancy, Inc. will create preliminary and detailed design of an initial segment of their overall project to transform the unused 1.5 miles, 40-acre DL&W rail corridor into an iconic, innovative, and inspiring multi-use nature trail and greenway.

Award: $500,000

Erwin Park Renewal (Village of Boonville, Oneida County)

The Village of Boonville Erwin Park Renewal project will revamp the main entrance on NYS Route 12, construct a boardwalk and canoe/kayak launch, create an entrance to the Boonville Black River Feeder Canal, construct an amphitheater with seating built into the surrounding hill, and resurface the tennis court.

Award: $328,125

Lake Placid Trailhead - Adirondack Rail Trail (Open Space Institute, Essex County)

Open Space Institute will design and construct the new Lake Placid Trailhead and parking area along the highly anticipated Adirondack Rail Trail (ART), a new multi-use trail that will connect North Country communities from Lake Tupper to Lake Placid and provide unparalleled access to the Adirondack wilderness. Located at the eastern terminus of the ART, Lake Placid Trailhead will provide a gateway and critical access to a new, year-round major tourist destination within Adirondack Park.

Award: $500,000