Canastota designated as NY's 1st 'Trail Town'

CANASTOTA, N.Y. (AP) — The village of Canastota is the first official "Trail Town" along New York's stretch of the North Country Trail.

When completed, the North Country Trail will extend 4,600 miles from North Dakota to the Crown Point Historic Site on Lake Champlain. The plan includes 625 miles across New York state.

Unlike other National Scenic Trails like the Appalachian Trail, the North Country Trail doesn't follow geographic features but goes through towns and villages. In Canastota, 20 miles east of Syracuse, the trail will start at the intersection of Route 5 and Main Street and continue to the village center, the Erie Canal and the Canal Town Museum.

Mayor Carla DeShaw says the "Trail Town" designation reinforces efforts to showcase the village's history and heritage and boost tourism.