The Beat

Waterford, N.Y. -- The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and the New York State Canal Corporation, through the Reimagine the Canals initiative, are pleased to announce that 38 non-profit organizations and municipalities will receive grants in 2022 totaling $259,300. The grants will support 11 tourism infrastructure and amenity improvements and 27 events along the NYS Canal System. The grants range from $500 to $24,000 and will leverage an estimated $1.2 million in additional support.

Waterford, N.Y. – Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor invites New Yorkers to take part in the Canalway Challenge in 2022 to trace history and track miles on the New York State Canal System and Canalway Trail. The free program invites participants to choose a personal mileage goal and then walk, run, cycle, or paddle to achieve it and receive recognition.  

The Canalway Challenge is open to people of all fitness levels and offers a range of mileage options, including 1 mile for people with mobility challenges, 15 miles, 90 miles, 180 miles, and 360 miles. People can complete the Challenge in one big trip or many small ones.

Waterford, N.Y. – The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is inviting New Yorkers to take part in a special winter fitness challenge, the FEBRUARY 15 Canalway Challenge. Participants pledge to complete 15 miles by walking, running, hiking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing during the month of February to earn a 15-Miler badge. Participants can choose to log miles at national, state and local parks, on the Canalway Trail, or even in their own neighborhoods. Any location within the boundaries of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor counts. 

Waterford, NY- The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is celebrating National Plan For Vacation Day on January 25 with the release of seven new multiday itineraries that make it easy to plan a trip along the New York State Canal System and Canalway Trail. The itineraries feature cycling, paddling, and sightseeing options with plenty of opportunities for visitors to enjoy regional foods and beverages. Information about accessibility is included to make it easier for people of all abilities to experience the canals.

$64,323 awarded to seven organizations

Waterford, NY - Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, in partnership with the NYS Canal Corporation, is pleased to announce that seven organizations have been selected to receive Erie Canalway IMPACT! Grants totaling $64,323. Funded projects include vital work to showcase canal heritage and welcome people to explore the canal in their local communities. 

$1.2 Million Project Will Improve 2.5 Miles of the Erie Canalway Trail in the Mohawk Valley

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is rehabilitating a 2.5-mile section of the Empire State Trail from the City of Little Falls to Herkimer Home State Historic Site, in Herkimer County. The trail segment is also part of the Erie Canalway Trail.

"The Empire State Trail is the ideal destination to enjoy our state's scenic beauty and extraordinary history, and we are continuing to invest in making the trail even more inviting for healthy outdoor activities," Governor Hochul said. "Outdoor recreation is a big economic engine for our state, and for countless vendors along the trail's path who rely on the tourism year-round, and projects like this help to ensure the long-term vitality of our regional economies."…

Exciting new family-friendly, low-cost addition to Buffalo’s Waterfront

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) and Buffalo Waterfront Management Group (BWMG) today announced that the canals at Canalside are converted into a giant roller rink that is now open and will roll through the fall season until October 31. At more than 30,000 square feet, the Roller Rink at Canalside, in partnership with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York, is the largest outdoor roller-skating rink in New York State.

Utica, N.Y. - This year marks the 9th anniversary of the award-winning Tuesdays on the Towpath recreational bike ride series. Where riders experience sites on or around the Erie Canal at an easy pace. The rides are guided and typically include a speaker who will illuminate history, ecology, and other topics along the route. 

On August 24, 2021, the Oneida County History Center will host a ride in the Utica area. The ride will start at Lock 20 in Marcy and ride east to travel along the 1919 Barge Canal.  Riders will stop along the way to learn about the canal including the location of “The Cut.” dug on the Mohawk River in 1730. This was the first artificial channel for navigation created in what would become New York State and it symbolizes the beginning of the Canal Age.  This six-mile journey is flat and will ride out to the Utica Marsh and back.

Exciting new family-friendly, low-cost addition to Buffalo’s Waterfront

Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) and Buffalo Waterfront Management Group (BWMG) today announced that the canals at Canalside will be converted into a giant roller rink that will open on August 20 and roll through the fall season to October 31. At more than 30,000 square feet, the Roller Rink at Canalside, in partnership with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York, will be the largest outdoor roller-skating rink in New York State.

Waterford, NY - The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is pleased to announce upcoming events to invite people of all abilities to try cycling and paddling along the Erie Canal and Canalway Trail. The events will offer equipment like adaptive bicycles and kayaks to assist with accessibility needs, and an opportunity to meet others who are recreating along the canals.