For Immediate Release: 12/18/2015
Contact: Shane Mahar | shane.mahar@thruway.ny.gov |
Office of Media Relations and Communications | (518) 471-5300
CANAL CORPORATION ANNOUNCES AWARDS TO UPSTATE MUNICIPALITIES THROUGH
GOVERNOR CUOMO’S REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE
Grants Will Fund Improvements to Recreation Sites in Erie Canal Communities
The New York State Canal Corporation today announced that 12 upstate municipalities will receive a total of $1 million in grants from the Canal Corporation as part of the $2.25 billion in awards that Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC) are providing to spur economic growth throughout New York State.
“Governor Cuomo recognizes that New York’s Canal system and the Canalway Trail are economic and recreational anchors for upstate,” said New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton. “The Canal system attracts everyone from outdoor enthusiasts to students of history and everything in between and the grants we have provided to municipalities throughout upstate are vital to their growth.”
The grants in this program will support improvement projects along the Canal system across upstate New York. Each project will benefit its respective municipality through investment in the functionality and beautification of areas surrounding the Canal and Canalway Trail, promoting recreation and tourism.
The Canal Corporation awards will support the following projects:
$37,000 awarded to the Village of Baldwinsville for improvements at public boat launches - This grant will fund improvements to the public boat launches at Mercer Park and Community Park along with other shoreline improvements and will include the relocation of the Mercer Park launch to provide better access to the Erie Canal for both boaters and the greater community.
$75,000 awarded to the Village of Brockport for phase one of the Brockport Rowing and Canal Development Project - The first phase of this project will develop the infrastructure needed to support recreational and competitive rowing programs in Brockport along the western section of the Erie Canal. Completion of this project will support the Village of Brockport’s continuing canal development in support of its economic development.
$70,000 awarded to the Village of Cazenovia to fund a car-top launch for kayaks and canoes along the Erie Canal at Lakeland Park - This park is widely used for recreation, community gatherings, and events. Currently, the park has a single point of public access to the lake for swimming, kayaking, paddle-boarding, etc. The additional access via the canal will provide a safer and more enjoyable experience for park users.
$30,000 awarded to the Village of Fonda for new Canalside Park - This new park, located off South Bridge Street, will create access for the public along this Mohawk River section of the Erie Canal, which is not currently accessible.
$50,000 awarded to the Village of Fultonville for dock extension - Funding from this grant will support an extension of docks located along the Mohawk River section of the Erie Canal at the Mohawk River Scenic Overlook Waterfront Access Facility.
$44,000 awarded to the Village of Green Island for trail improvements - Funding will be used to complete the final segment of this non-motorized multi-use trail. Construction will consist of clearing brush and debris from the former D&H Railroad bed and the installation of a paved multi-use trail, benches, lighting and landscaping. These additions will improve the safety of trail conditions extending from the end of the Black Bridge to Cannon Street in the Village of Green Island
$100,000 awarded to the Town of Halfmoon for the installation of a car-top boat launch at Crescent Park - The launch will be located along the Mohawk River section of the Erie Canal and will provide access in an area that currently lacks public boat launches. Just off Route 9, this project will provide high visibility and easy public access to the area of the canal located adjacent to State Route 9 in the town.
$100,000 awarded to Montgomery County for canalway trail improvements - The funds from this grant will support the paving of two sections of the existing Erie Canalway Trail between Fort Hunter and the Town of Root to create a cohesive path with sections that were previously paved.
$150,000 awarded to the Town of Niskayuna for public access improvements - Work will include significant infrastructure repairs and improvements in Aqueduct Park, including the installation of public restrooms, stabilization of walkways and the existing boathouse foundation, and increasing dock capacity and boat storage for non-motorized water craft. These planned improvements are goals of Schenectady County's Mohawk River Waterfront Revitalization Plan.
$124,000 awarded to the Village of Palmyra for docking wall extension - This grant will be used for the installation of a concrete retaining wall from the existing boat launch along Mill Brook and will also fund additional amenities.
$75,000 awarded to Schenectady County for Canalway Trail improvements - Approximately two miles of the trail will be repaved from the Mohawk River overlook east of Lock E-8 to the newly paved section at the New York State Thruway (I-90) exit 26 bridge over I-890. The project is a continuation of two previously funded Consolidated Funding Application projects completed in the fall of 2014 and 2015.
$145,000 awarded to the Village of Waterloo for trail improvements - This grant will be used for completion of the trail connection from the Cayuga-Seneca Canal and the Oak Island Canal Port to South Virginia Street, and to downtown Waterloo. The project will feature installation of a paved path, sidewalk, lighting, and landscaping to an existing parking area, and provide municipal parking for visitors to the canal and to downtown.
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The New York State Canal System is comprised of four historic waterways, the Erie, the Champlain, the Oswego and the Cayuga-Seneca Canals. Spanning 524 miles, the waterways link the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes, Niagara River and Lake Erie with communities rich in history and culture. For more information about the New York State Canal System, vacation opportunities and events call 1-800-4CANAL4 or visit www.canals.ny.gov.
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