Little Falls joins the ranks of Empire State Trail Towns. What it means for the community
Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) recently promoted two cities along the Erie Canalway Trail — Little Falls and Amsterdam — to Empire State Trail Town status, according to a statement from officials.
The Empire State Trail was completed four years ago, making it the nation’s longest multi-use state trail, running from New York City to Canada.
According to a statement, the Trail Town program is designed to connect communities to one another and to nature. Over the next 10 months, the chosen municipalities will be connected with a network of partners, given recommendations for trail improvement, and showcased as a must-visit destination.
PTNY assistance will take the form of public workshops and research assessment of current trail conditions, officials said.
Little Falls Mayor Deborah Kaufman recognized the program as an enhancement to residents’ quality of life and a driver of economic growth.
“The Empire State Trail, ranked as the number one best rail trail in the country by Outside Magazine, is a massive economic driver for New York’s vibrant canalway communities, drawing visitors from around the world,” Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York, said in a statement. “We look forward to working with the selected communities to help leverage this exceptional trail by developing and implementing strategies like improving trail-to-town connectivity, enhancing the services and amenities that trail users seek, and promoting a culture of stewardship, hospitality, and inclusivity.”
Erie Canalway Trail
The statement said the goal of the program is twofold: To increase recreational opportunities for residents and create trail-friendly destinations for visitors.
Officials said Little Falls was selected due to its scenic charm, deeming it a “vibrant cultural gem that sparkles among the Mohawk River’s whitewater rapids.”
Kaufman noted the city’s plans to enhance the connection between its downtown corridor and the Erie Canalway Trail.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to be selected as a participant in achieving ‘Trail Town’ status," she said. "In Little Falls, we are so incredibly proud of our city’s scenic beauty and historic heritage. The Erie Canalway Trail is an integral part of our community pride, attracting visitors from all over and richly benefiting our city both economically and socially."
A part, to a whole
While the Canalway Trail traces a route from Buffalo to Albany, other portions follow the Champlain, Cayuga-Seneca and Oswego canals.
The Trail Town program has expanded its scope to include two new communities along the Champlain Canalway Trail, the Village of Schuylerville and the Town of Fort Edward.
According to the statement, trail use figures estimate the Canalway Trail system draws more than 3.5 million visits per year. The Trail Town program helps communities leverage the trail for sustainable economic development, officials said.
“The Canal Corporation is thrilled to assist Little Falls, Amsterdam, Schuylerville, and Fort Edward as they work to revitalize their communities and foster connections that will increase visitation and create long-term economic and quality of life benefits for their residents,” said New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton, in a statement. “We look forward to this partnership and all of the new opportunities it will bring to New York’s residents and visitors, so they can enjoy the Empire State Trail and our state’s vibrant canal communities for generations to come.”
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Little Falls promoted to Empire State Trail Town status
