The document outlines plans for 2019 along the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway, including installing a new kiosk in Rexford to interpret leisure after the Industrial Revolution, improving access to the Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve, and new cell phone stops in Schenectady. It also notes events to commemorate the bicentennial of the Erie Canal. The annual report summarizes accomplishments in 2018 like completing an Audubon birding trail and hosting leadership training. It provides an overview of the duathlon, new kiosks, website traffic, and volunteer contributions to the Byway. Financially, revenues were $13,087 while expenditures totaled $17,135.

1. LOOKING AHEAD TO 2019…
• A kiosk at the western gateway to interpret the Stockade’s role as the early frontier.
• A kiosk in Rexford to explore the growth of leisure time after the Industrial
Revolution. This will finish the interpretive project as envisioned in the 2002
Corridor Management Plan. It will also evaluate more economical construction
materials and techniques as federal byway funding is used up.
• Improved access to the Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve at Ferry Drive
and including a pedestrian bridge over the 1842 enlarged Erie Canal at Clutes.
• New self guided cell phone stops in Schenectady along Erie Boulevard the old Erie
Canal route through the City.
• Events, publicity, and ceremonies to commemorate the bicentennial of the Erie
Canal.
Photo Credits in order of appearance Maryanne Mackey, Chris Sieverdes, Tom Lindsay, Kristin Hislop, Laura
Robertson, Daniel Cherniak, and Eric Hamilton.
Mohawk Towpath Byway: Travel the Byway between Waterford, Cohoes and Schenectady and
learn the story of the waterway west, the Erie Canal and the role our communities played in the westward
expansion of the country and the Industrial Revolution. The Byway is one of a network of New York
State Byways and one of 150 unique America’s Byways®
.
The Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway Coalition: Regional partnership between
municipalities to preserve the story - Clifton Park, Cohoes, Colonie, Glenville, Halfmoon, Niskayuna,
Schenectady, Scotia and the village and town of Waterford.
The Friends of the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway: A membership organization of
Byway enthusiasts that act as a bridge to our communities by increasing public awareness of, focusing
attention on, and expanding the use and appreciation of the Mohawk Towpath National Scenic Byway.
We have been blessed with another year on the Mohawk Towpath
Scenic Byway. Through the cooperative efforts of our
municipalities, officers and volunteers, the byway has
accomplished its goals and set the pathway to the future. We have
much to be thankful for.
The Byway has adventures and fun for you and me.
Walk with me, bike with me, paddle with me along the byway.
Come enjoy the beauty of the river, the splendor of the historic
sites, the mystery of the wildlife. You can enjoy the Bald Eagles
soaring over the Cohoes Falls, or a quiet hike along the river. Try
your hand at fishing under the Crescent bridge, at Clutes Dry
Dock, or deep fishing in the river for the giant Muskys. Hike and
bike along the new connecting trail from Crescent to Vischer
Ferry. Find the new Audubon bird trail. The Vischer Ferry
Preserve offers world famous bird watching, especially during fall
and spring migrations. Enjoy an exciting night at the Mohawk
Harbor Rivers Casino and an excellent meal and ale at Druthers
Brewery. You can explore the oldest settlement at the Historic
Stockade in Schenectady, or take in an off Broadway production
at Proctors. Find delicious meals in the Little Italy restaurants like
Perreca's and Cornells and an unforgettable evening of Jazz at the
Van Dyck Restaurant.
Or for close to the earth fun try the Angry Penguin in Cohoes for
comfort food, great beer and local folk-singing. Make your way to
the Cohoes museum for a glimpse into the early industrial
revolution, the beginnings of the cotton mills and hydro-electric
production. At every site you can find phone tour signs that direct
you to recordings telling stories of the location. You will not be
disappointed in time spent on the Byway. For life is here at every
turn, both modern and historic.
We have much to be thankful for. Your help and good works have
made it possible to promote and continue our efforts, toward
making the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway, a destination worthy
of its rich history and vibrant life. Thank you.
Lawrence D. Syzdek,
Chairman.
Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway
Coalition, Inc.
2018
ANNUAL REPORT
Executives
Lawrence D Syzdek
Chairman
Kevin Franklin
Vice Chairman & Town
of Colonie
Chris Hunter
Secretary &
City of Schenectady
Edward Tremblay
Treasurer &
City of Cohoes
Exec Director
Eric J. Hamilton
& Town of Clifton Park
Board
John L. Scherer
Town of Clifton Park
James MacFarland
Town of Glenville
Daphne Jordan
Town of Halfmoon
Laura Robertson
Town of Niskayuna
Will Seyse
Village of Scotia
Frank McClement
Town of Waterford
Russ Van Dervoort
Village of Waterford
Jason Homan
Schenectady County
Bateau on the Mohawk River at Canal Fest at the Mabee Farm.

2. ACCOMPLISHMENTS
A partnership between the Byway and Capital Region
Audubon completed a birding trail in the Vischer Ferry
Nature and Historic Preserve. The trail features four
stops added to the self guided cell phone based tour. The
four stops are at distinct habitats within the Preserve.
We played host to a
Byway Leadership
Training program at the
historic Grooms Tavern.
The National Scenic Byway Foundation provided the instruction for the two day
session attended by other byway leaders from several states in addition to New York.
The Story Telling Summit was attended by 36
people from several states in the northeast and
midwest. This program drew on local talent
and expertise with proven successes
communicating our community’s historic
resources.
We gained a new partnership with Druthers
Brewing Company. They were a major sponsor
of the Mohawk Towpath Byway Duathlon. The
Friends of the Byway offered their IPA at the
Story Telling Summit.
We had 84 participants registered for the Mohawk Towpath Byway Duathlon. This
has become an internationally recognized event with people coming from Ontario
each year. Hopefully, the event will grow next year when we plan the 17th Annual
Duathlon for the Sunday morning following Columbus Day weekend …October 20,
2019.
Two new interpretive kiosks were
installed this year. One is located in
the City of Cohoes at the Falls
Overlook Park parking lot. The
content for the kiosk has been refined
over several years working with the
Spindle City Historical Society.
The other kiosk is located at
Aqueduct Park in Niskayuna. It
describes the importance of the
“upper aqueduct” as it was called up
until the twentieth century.
During the year 290 unique individual
visitors used the cell phone based self guided tour. This doubles numbers from
previous years, attributed to improved assess with upgraded tour signs.
Both the Byway’s and the Friends of the Byway’s websites received increasing
traffic during the year. Peak traffic can be tied to events on the Byway that bring
interest in the Byway’s stories.
Volunteers remain the core of the Byway’s success. During the year more than 109
volunteers of all ages, all backgrounds and a number of faiths donated 2,000 hours
for the Byway’s events, projects, and objectives. These hours have been valued at
nearly $54,000 and a portion used as local match to grants. But they provide much
more for the community as well as a great sense of accomplishment and pride for
those who donate. For this we are all grateful.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Balance January 1, 2018 was $24,447.
Balance December 31, 2018 was $20,399.
Revenue Expenditures
Municipal Share of Byway operations $3,900 Inform and Promote the Byway $3,875
FHWA Byway Grant for Interpretation $7,997 Protect and Enhance Rescourses $290
Event income and sponsorships $930 Build and Reinforce Partnerships $150
Private Contributions and Interest $260 Events $2,382
Interpretation and other projects $10,438
TOTAL $13,087 TOTAL $17,135