Our Ability finds a way: 2nd annual journey along the Erie Canal

In July, Our Ability, a non-profit advocacy organization for people with disabilities, completed a 12-day cycle across New York State on the Erie Canalway Trail. Fifteen riders powerfully demonstrated the capabilities of individuals with disabilities on the 350-mile trek. Our Ability was founded by John Robinson, born a congenital amputee without full arms and legs, and  Doug Hamlin, … Continue reading Our Ability finds a way: 2nd annual journey along the Erie Canal →

Karen’s Ice Cream and Produce – a must-stop on the ECT

Inventive ice cream flavors, such as Caramel Cheesecake Cookie and Cappuccino Crunch,  and healthy, fresh produce make Karen's Ice Cream and Produce in Fort Hunter a must-stop on the Erie Canalway Trail. Located right off the trail, across Route 5s where the Mohawk River and Schoharie Creek meet, Karen's serves up homemade treats including specialty ice cream, … Continue reading Karen’s Ice Cream and Produce – a must-stop on the ECT →

New directory points the way to canal corridor sites

There’s a lot to be said for online guides and apps, but sometimes it’s nice to have an old fashioned hard copy brochure in hand – or in your bike bag or glove compartment– to help you find your way to interesting places. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has produced a new directory of … Continue reading New directory points the way to canal corridor sites →

Row for Hope – young Clean Sweep participants continue to give back

The  McQuaid Jesuit High School crew team uses the Erie Canal and Canalway Trail near Rochester for training. In return, the group has been an active participant in Canal Clean Sweep. For the last two years, the canal’s water trail has played an additional role in the team's continuing efforts to give back as the … Continue reading Row for Hope – young Clean Sweep participants continue to give back →

Schenectady County linking the Canalway Trail to neighborhoods

More people than ever will soon have safe, easy access to the Erie Canalway Trail (ECT) in Schenectady County thanks to federal funding from the Capital District Transportation Committee. In the town of Niskayuna, two new multi-use spur trails will be constructed to safely connect the ECT with hundreds of households and a popular soccer complex. Especially … Continue reading Schenectady County linking the Canalway Trail to neighborhoods →

500 riders, 400 miles, 300 photos, 200 communities: Cycling the Erie Canal

There is no better way to see  the history and beautiful scenery New York has to offer than traveling by bike. This year PTNY hosted more than 500  bicyclists on the 16th annual Cycling the Erie Canal bike tour July 13-20. Representatives from the New York State Canal Corporation, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation … Continue reading 500 riders, 400 miles, 300 photos, 200 communities: Cycling the Erie Canal →

Our own “Wedding of the Waters” reenactment

By Mary Jo Childs, Williston, Vermont A guest post from one of our Cycling the Erie Canal riders The celebration of the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 included a ceremony called “Wedding of the Waters”.  A barrel of water collected from Lake Erie was transported 363 miles via canal boat to the mouth … Continue reading Our own “Wedding of the Waters” reenactment →

Honor a Canalway Trail volunteer

Volunteers are the driving forces behind the Canalway Trail System but rarely do they receive the recognition they so richly deserve. Now you can change that by nominating a Canalway Trail volunteer for the 2014 Canalway Trail Tender Award. The Canalway Trail Tender Award was established by the New York State Canal Corporation in 1998 … Continue reading Honor a Canalway Trail volunteer →

Snowmobilers roll out the welcome mat for the Dix Bridge

After 15 years, the Dix Bridge was finally opened for recreational use in November 2013. With the season’s first snow expected in a few weeks, the time available for snowmobilers to get the bridge ready for wintertime use was short and full of logistical challenges.  Thanks to the efforts of many groups, when the snow … Continue reading Snowmobilers roll out the welcome mat for the Dix Bridge →

Explore the Hudson River-Champlain Canal Corridor by Bike

If an easy to moderate one-day guided peddle through a history-rich section of the Upper Hudson River Valley and along the Champlain Canal corridor sounds appealing, then the 2014 Champlain Canalway Trail Bicycle Tour is for you. For the third year, the Champlain Canalway Trail Working Group will offer a bike tour of part of … Continue reading Explore the Hudson River-Champlain Canal Corridor by Bike →