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Little Falls, by Bart Carrig
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Find Your Way to Great Experiences with New Erie Canalway Itineraries
As the NYS Canal System gets set to open on May 19, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has released
nine new itineraries to lead people to great places and experiences within the national heritage corridor. The itineraries showcase some of the
best historic sites, national and state parks, museums, and recreational experiences and are suited for weekend and day trips. Suggestions for cycling, hiking, paddling, and canal tours, as well as nearby places to eat or picnic are also included.
The itineraries are available to download for free at
www.eriecanalway.org/explore/itineraries.
Strong collaboration among national, state, and local partners made this project possible. Erie Canalway itineraries were funded with support from the
National Park Service and Empire State Development's
Market NY program, part of the State's Regional Economic Development Council awards. Each one features a national or state park along with nearby historic sites and canal recreation experiences.
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NYS Canal System is scheduled to open Friday, May 19.
The public is invited to opening ceremonies at Lock 2 in Waterford at 10 am. Find detailed hours of operation and sign up for Notices to Mariners at
www.canals.ny.gov
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What's Your Favorite View?
Enter it in the 2017 Erie Canalway Photo Contest!
Keep your camera at the ready when celebrating the bicentennial, cycling the Canalway Trail, paddling on the water, cruising the canal, exploring historic sites, or enjoying canal communities. Then share your favorite places and views with us and enter to win this year's photo contest.
We're looking for images that capture the canal corridor's distinctive sense of place, as well as the wealth of things to do and see along the waterway. Winning images will be published in our 2018 calendar.
Entering the contest is a snap; find an entry form and tips on our website:
www.eriecanalway.org/get-involved/photo-contest
Deadline for entries: August 31, 2017
Note: Images must be horizontal format
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2017 World Canals Conference Announces Speakers - Register Today!
The
2017 World Canals Conference
(WCC) announces key speakers for the upcoming conference, set to take place Sept. 24-28 in Syracuse.
Register today
to guarantee your seat!
This year's conference provides a world-class program that highlights some of the most exciting and innovative activities on the world's waterways. WCC 2017 speakers hail from around the globe, including experts from France, Poland, Scotland, Korea, the U.K., the Netherlands and the U.S.
Plenary speakers include:
- John Robinson, founder and CEO of Our Ability: Robinson is a 2014 White House Champion of Change for Disability Employment. He will focus on canal recreation for people of all abilities.
- Steve Dunlop, CEO of Scottish Canals: Dunlop will discuss the transformative power of lowland canals and their contribution to Scotland's vibrant economy.
- David Edwards-May, president of Inland Waterways International: Edwards-May is an internationally recognized waterways development consultant, cartographer, publisher and writer who will deliver the state of the world's canals.
We're fortunate to host this international event and encourage you to invite your friends, family, and colleagues. Find out more and register for the conference at
www.wcc2017syracuse.com
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Matton Shipyard Public Meeting
Thursday, May 11, 5:30-7:30pm
Peebles Island Visitor Center, Cohoes/Waterford
Design concepts for Matton Shipyard in Cohoes will be unveiled by Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and Fisher Associates, along with
Congressman Paul Tonko; Assemblyman John McDonald; Cohoes Mayor Shawn Morse; and Alane Ball Chinian
of the Saratoga-Capital District Region
/Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
The concept plans are
based on public input provided at a previous public meeting in February
.
Erie Canalway is spearheading an adaptive
reuse plan for the site, with the aim of converting the historic shipyard into a waterfront gateway for the region.
Matton Shipyard is located in Peebles Island State Park at the junction of the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers. It is strategically linked to several land and water-based recreational trails.
If you are unable to attend but have input to share, please contact Andy Kitzmann at
[email protected]
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Lockport, 1939:
This sketch was made by Thomas Evershed, who became a preeminent artist hired largely to document the growth of the Erie Canal soon after he emigrated from England. His maps, plans, and drawings of the canal system provide some of the most striking visual representations of how the canals were meant to be used. (Courtesy: NYS Archives)
MORE >
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Along the Towpath: News, Events, and Happenings
Genesee Brewery to Ship New Tanks Via Canal
The canal season kicks off with an early run of a dozen 20 x 60-foot fermentation tanks for the Genesee Brewery. The shipment is anticipated to run from Albany to Rochester in the coming week.
Selected May Events
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Low Bridge, High Water, 5/11-5/13, Village of Brockport; Kick off the annual opening of the canal and the Erie Canal Bicentennial.
- Key to the Locks Ceremony, 5/13, Lock Tenders Tribute and Dedication of The Erie Traveler, Lockport
- Pedal - Paddle - Run, 5/13, Aqueduct Park, Niskayuna; Get ready, set, and sign-up for "Not Your Typical" Triathlon.
- Erie Canal Family Fun Day, 5/20, Macedon Canal Park at Lock 30, Macedon; Start the season with festivities, food, and tours, 3pm - 7pm.
- Erie Canal Bicentennial Conference, 5/19-20, Utica
- Erie Canal Half Marathon, Relay and 5K, 5/21, Utica
Reflections on Erie's Waters
This collaborative project of the Eri
e Canal Museum and the Canal Society of New York State, commemorates the waterway's bicentennial and examines its legacy and future through diverse viewpoints. The project includes exhibits, statewide lectures and artist-led educational workshops. Kicking off the series is:
The Erie Canal: A Pathway for Poetry,
Saturday, 5/20 and Saturday, 6/3,
10 am-1 pm,
Erie Canal Museum, 318 Erie Boulevard East, Syracuse. Poet and creative writing instructor Ellen Agnew of Syracuse will introduce different forms of poetry and strategies for composing poetry. Participants will write and share poems inspired by various perspectives on the Erie Canal, past and present. Limited to 20 people.
100-Mile Challenge at Saratoga National Historical Park
Saratoga National Historical Park is inviting visitors and community members to participate in a 100-mile recreation challenge this summer. From May 1 - October 31, the park is encouraging people to bike, walk, hike, or run 100 miles within the battlefield. Anyone can take part in the challenge, from beginners to advanced hikers and cyclists. Registered participants will receive a mileage log to record participation. Each participant who completes 100 miles will receive an award, and the first 100 people to finish the challenge will receive a t-shirt!
Sign up by e-mailing
[email protected]
.
#SARA100mi
Save the Date!
The Old Erie Canal Boat Float: A Paddler's Perspective of the 8th Wonder of the World!
Saturday, 6/17, FREE
Join paddlers to kayak or canoe the Old Erie Canal in celebration of the Erie Canal's 200th Birthday! Organizers hope to fill the Erie Canal from DeWitt to Chittenango with colorful boats! Paddlers end at Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum for an aerial photo taken by a drone. This photo will be used as the cover of the new Old Erie Canal paddle guide, which is in the process of being created.
The NYS Canal Corporation maintains a full calendar of events-- check it out for weekly activities and festivals.
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Save the Date!
Erie Canalway Commission and Heritage Fund Board Meeting
June 14, 2017, 10am-1pm
Marriott Syracuse Downtown, Syracuse
Annual meeting to plan and direct activities of the National Heritage Corridor. The public is welcome to attend. RSVP to [email protected]
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