Hamilton: Ribbon Cutting for Extended Chenango Canal Towpath Trail

Senator David Valesky will join with the Village of Hamilton, the Chenango Canal Association, and Parks & Trails New York to formally open the extension of the Chenango Canal Towpath Trail from Woodman Pond to the Village of Hamilton on Saturday, September 26 at 9:00 a.m. at the new trail access on Montgomery Street in Hamilton.

Attending and offering brief remarks will be:

· NYS Senator David Valesky

· Village of Hamilton

· Diane Van Slyke, President, Chenango Canal Association

· Wally Elton, Project Director, Parks & Trails New York

Following the remarks, participants will cut a ribbon across the trail and announce its designation as a National Recreation Trail.

At 10:00 a.m., a diverse group of trail advocates representing communities throughout the historic Chenango Canal corridor, local and state nonprofit groups, and state agencies will meet at the ALANA Cultural Center on the Colgate University campus to review progress on trail development and develop ideas for next steps to connect individual trails along or near the original Chenango Canal corridor between Utica and Binghamton.

Members of the media, including photographers, are invited to attend both events.

For more information regarding these events, please call Diane Van Slyke at (cell) 315-729-8323 or Wally Elton at Parks & Trails New York, (518) 434-1583.

Trail Potential for Historic Chenango Canal Corridor to be Discussed Sept. 26

State Senator Valesky will help celebrate new trail segment near Hamilton

The old Chenango Canal, which connected the Erie Canal near Utica to the Susquehanna River near Binghamton, went out of operation in 1877. But local and state trail advocates seek to bring the long-abandoned canal corridor back to life as a multi-use trail for recreation and transportation. On Saturday, September 26, supporters of the “Chenango Canal Corridor Connections” (CCCC) project will gather to celebrate recent progress and consider next steps in realizing this vision.

At 9:00 a.m., representatives of the Chenango Canal Association, the Village of Hamilton, and Parks & Trails New York will be joined by State Senator David Valesky to dedicate an extension of the existing Chenango Canal Towpath Trail southward from Woodman Pond to the Village of Hamilton. This ribbon-cutting will take place at the new trailhead on Montgomery Street near the courthouse in Hamilton.

At 10:00 a.m., following the dedication, a diverse group of enthusiasts representing communities throughout the corridor, local and state nonprofit groups, and state agencies will meet at the ALANA Cultural Center on the Colgate University campus to hear reports on trail projects along the corridor (Town of Kirkland, Town of Marshall, City of Norwich, as well as the Village of Hamilton) and develop ideas for next steps. This meeting is hosted by the Upstate Institute at Colgate; the ALANA Cultural Center is located on Oak Drive (off Hamilton Street) in Hamilton.

Interested members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend both events. For more information, contact Diane Van Slyke, president of the Chenango Canal Association, at towpath@twcny.rr.com or 315-893-7910.

Senator Valesky, along with Assemblyman William Magee, secured funding this year for completion of and enhancements to this trail. As a result, almost seven miles of continuous trail are now available to walkers, bikers, skiers, and others from north of Bouckville to Hamilton. The Chenango Canal Association is leading the CCCC effort and Parks & Trails New York, a statewide advocacy organization, is providing technical assistance for trail development. The Village of Hamilton Department of Public Works constructed the extension.

Directions:

From State Rte 12B one mile south of Airport Road, turn right at the Sunoco Station on Montgomery Street. The trail access will be on the right. Parking is available at the next building.

The ALANA Cultural Center is located on Oak Drive (off Hamilton Street, about 6/10 of a mile from downtown Hamilton). Drive past the stop sign and the Human Resources building. ALANA is on the left. A parking lot is available, prior to the building on the right.

One Comment on "Hamilton: Ribbon Cutting for Extended Chenango Canal Towpath Trail"

Seth C. Burgess on Tue, 22nd Sep 2009 10:22 am

Great work being done in Madison County in preserving and promoting Erie Canal history and recreation!

Hamilton: Ribbon Cutting for Extended Chenango Canal Towpath Trail

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