Nearly 400 delegates from inland waterways around the world convened in Athlone, Ireland from September 10-12 for the 2018 World Canals Conference. The three-day event shed light on opportunities and challenges facing canals and inland waterways worldwide.  A general trend toward increased trail and paddle-sport recreation, heritage

Duncan Hay and Jean  Mackay represented the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor; Jean presented a session Who's Out There: Using visitor data to better attract and serve visitors. Catherine Sheridan of the NYS Canal Corporation delivered a keynote on Building Resilience: Climate, Risk, and Waterways.  New York State canals  also  were well represented at an information booth in the exhibitor hall.

 

Among the conference highlights was the closing address by the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins.  His eloquent and inspiring remarks called attention to the wealth of heritage, history, and wildlife gifted to us by our waterways. "Your deliberations during this conference are a testament to the diversity of opportunities presented by our canals-- the restoration of navigable waterways, the promotion of water sports, the conservation of our natural and cultural heritage, the rejuvenation of our cities." Read his full address.

Next year's conference takes place in Yangzhou, China.

A week after Waterford's annual Tugboat Roundup drew crowds to celebrate all things tugboat, officials from the NY Power Authority and NYS Canal Corporation met with canal and preservation advocates to discuss the fate of the Tug Urger and other aging canal vessels. While officials did not share a vision for the future of the canal's historic fleet, they did reveal that they are undertaking a historic context document/roster for vessels over 40 years old.

The survey is part of required mitigation for sinking three National Register-eligible vessels as part of the state's artificial reefing program. In addition, Canal Corp/NYPA will undertake a new marine survey and alternatives report for the Tug Urger, which it removed from service in 2017. Advocates pressed for greater transparency and a dedicated working group to facilitate involvement, and urged Canal Corp/NYPA to reconsider its plans to make the Urger a static, land-based display. The Urger is currently in Waterford and will spend the winter in dry dock there.

New Mural in Palmyra
Historic Palmyra's Erie Canal Depot has a new 22-foot-long canal mural, painted by local artist Cheryl Leonard. Visit the museum to see the mural and other engaging exhibits for children and adults.