Local News
ERIE CANAL: Bikes can bring business to canal area
BROCKPORT — Cyclists are flooding the Erie Canal, and local businesses can learn how to profit from them.
The New York State Canal Corp. and Parks & Trails New York are presenting a roundtable discussion for businesses and communities along the canal corridor. The Erie Canalway Trail is a multi-use recreational trail running along the Canal and is geared toward bicycles tourists. The “Bicyclists Bring Business” roundtable is an opportunity for businesses and communities to learn how to promote the trail and use it for financial gain.
“The Erie Canal Corridor has all the right ingredients to become an international bicycle touring destination: a premier off-road trail, peaceful country roads with wide shoulders, picturesque villages, impressive historic sites and museums, charming bed and breakfasts and inns, ample campgrounds, and country stores and farm stands,” said Robin Dropkin, executive director of Parks & Trails New York. “Through the roundtable, we want to help businesses and communities along the Canal corridor attract bicyclists and outdoor enthusiasts, and thereby increase their share of economic benefits from the Canalway Trail.”
The roundtable will be held 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 6, at the Seymour Library, 161 East Ave., Brockport. Topics to be covered include: Understanding the demographics and needs of the bicycle tourist; making communities and businesses more bicycle-friendly; developing infrastructure to accommodate bicycles and bicyclists; and marketing to outdoor recreationalists. The program will also include networking time and light refreshments.
A similar meeting was held in Lockport in May 2006.
The route isn’t finished yet, but with more than 260 miles of trail constructed, the Erie Canalway Trail is nearly 75 percent complete. It will eventually encompass more than 348 miles of continuous multi-use trail, connecting Lake Erie and Buffalo to the Hudson River. Even though it isn’t completed, Fran Gotcsik, director of programs and policy for Parks & Trails, said the trail is already busy with cyclists.
At the discussion, businesses will learn to become more “bicycle friendly” and tap into the tourist market opportunity the trail provides. Both the Canal Corp. and Parks & Trails are working on an agreement with the Empire State Bed and Breakfast Association to create a relationship to promote the trail. Putting information online would help draw tourists by allowing them to plan a vacation using the trail.
“It’s a great opportunity to do a mapping of other trails, as well as links to other businesses that are bicycle-friendly,” Gotcsik said.
Parks & Trails believes it is a great opportunity for business. “Studies consistently show that bicycle and other outdoor tourists come from high-income households, typically spend between $100 and $300 per day, and will travel significant distances to regions offering a good mix of cycling, attractions, and services,” according to a Parks & Trails statement. “With new sections of Canalway Trail opening in Amherst and at other locations across the state, more and more cyclists will be choosing to take vacations in Upstate New York.”
Businesses are asked to reserve their spot at the roundtable by sending an RSVP to Parks & Trails New York at B3roundtable@ptny.org or by calling 518-434-1583.
Contact reporter Joe Olenickat (716) 439-9222, ext. 6241.
- Local News
-
-
Teens accused of harassing mosque parishioners
Members of the World Sufi Foundation Mosque have experienced harassment in the past, but nothing like what happened earlier this week. The disruption resulted in the arrest of five teens — one of whom is facing criminal charges for allegedly firing a weapon.
-
Dad gets 6 months in child's death
An Orleans County man who pleaded guilty in June to criminally negligent homicide in his daughter’s death was sentenced Monday to serve six months in jail.
-
Teens accused of harassing Carlton mosque
Members of the World Sufi Foundation Mosque have experienced harassment in the past, but nothing like what happened earlier this week. The disruption resulted in the arrest of five teens — one of whom is facing criminal charges for allegedly firing a weapon.
-
Community Action helps children prepare for school
Community Action of Orleans and Genesee completed its annual back to school drive Thursday, helping more than 200 children get supplies.
-
Remembering 9/11
Each year a group gathers in Albion to remember those who lost their lives that September day nine years ago. Holding tributes and candlelight vigils, the Orleans County American Legion has hosted the event to pay tribute to those involved in 9/11.
-
Special gift pushes trust campaign over the top
The Sandstone Trust of Medina has exceeded its 2010 summer campaign goal on the strength of a very special memorial gift which was made public this week. The immediate family of the late Fern J. Blackburn (widow of Paul R. Blackburn) presented a major contribution to the Trust committee in an amount equaling 20 percent of the entire summer campaign goal of $25,000. With this support, the total of summer gifts stands today at approx. $27,000, leaders said.
-
District confirms leave of absence
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department issued an appearance ticket Aug. 21, requiring a district administrator to appear in Batavia Town Court next month to answer a charge of driving while intoxicated. The Holley Central School District can confirm that the administrator has been on leave since Aug. 3, which includes the alleged time of the incident.
-
Village improves skateboard agreement
The Village of Albion board had good news for skateboarders and Santa Clauses on Wednesday, approving the Town of Albion’s offer to help pay for skate park equipment and offering to assist with the upcoming celebration of legendary Santa Claus Charles Howard.
-
Fifty-six years strong for Camp Rainbow Fund
The Camp Rainbow Fund, which inherited its new name six months ago from the former Journal-Register Camp Fund, continued this summer to do good work on behalf of children in Orleans County. A total of $5,074 was raised from the public to send boys and girls “into the sunshine of Camp Rainbow,” located on Town Line Road in the northern part of Ridgeway.
-
Natale introduces book about spirituality, sexuality
Maintaining a relationship with God can be difficult for anyone who is tempted by the distractions of everyday life — money, sex, addictions. But faith goes deeper than the labels affixed to these indulgences and the churches people go to seeking guidance.
- More Local News Headlines
-
