May 28, 2009   Chenango Canal Towpath Trail Gets National Recreation Trail Designation

 [Edited to show only NY State trails. Scroll down for the Chenango Canal Towpath Trail. Full proclamation ]

Secretary Salazar Announces Designation of
22 New National Recreation Trails in 13 States

WASHINGTON – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar recently designated 22 trails in 13 states as newly recognized National Recreation Trails, adding more than 525 miles of trails to the National Trails System.

"From coast to coast, the National Trails System helps connect American families with the wonders of the outdoors," said Salazar. "These new National Recreation Trails, built through partnerships with local communities and stakeholders, will create new opportunities for fitness and stewardship, while creating a lasting legacy for our children and grandchildren."

This announcement is timed to coincide with the 17th annual celebration of National Trails Day on Saturday, June 6, 2009. The theme for this year, “Take In the Outdoors,” encourages people of all ages to get outside and use trails for exercise and exploration. Thousands of trail enthusiasts will participate in hikes, educational programs, bike rides, volunteer repair projects, festivals, paddle trips, and trail dedications across the country. A complete schedule of activities is available at http://americanhiking.org/NTD.aspx.

National Recreation Trails (NRTs) have been a touchstone of the National Trails System since the first designations in 1971. The NRTs recognize existing trails and trail systems that connect people to local resources and improve their quality of life.  NRTs link communities to recreational opportunities on public lands and in local parks across the Nation. These designations contribute to “A Decade for the National Trails, 2008-2018,” commemorating the 50^th anniversary of the National Trails System in 2018.

Each of the new trails will receive a certificate of designation, a letter of congratulations from Secretary Salazar, and NRT trail markers. These trails join a network of more than 1,050 previously designated trails that total more than 12,500 miles.  The NRT program is jointly administered by the National Park Service and the USDA Forest Service in conjunction with a number of other Federal and nonprofit partners, notably American Trails, which hosts the National Recreation Trail website
at www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails.

New York

Chenango Canal Towpath Trail – This 6-mile trail is ideal for walking, jogging, horseback riding, bicycling, and cross-country skiing along the placid waters of the historic Chenango Canal in and near the town of Madison.

Feeder Canal Towpath Trail – This 9-mile linear park adjoins one of the last surviving in-use portions of the original New York Canal System, the Glens Falls Feeder Canal, joining Queensbury and Kingsbury.

Historic Champlain Canalway Trail – An approximately 1.75-mile segment of the projected 58-mile long Canalway Trail corridor, this trail in Halfmoon appeals to bird watchers, history buffs, and health-conscious recreationists.