The document outlines an action plan to complete and promote the Champlain Canalway Trail from Waterford to Whitehall. The plan's goal is to create a continuous route along historic towpaths, community attractions, and on-street bicycle routes. It recommends local governments work together regionally to support trail projects, establish linkages, and promote the trail through events and tourism to boost local economies and provide transportation and recreation opportunities. Short and long-term recommendations include completing trail sections and loops, enhancing accommodations, and seeking funding to realize the vision of a world-class recreational trail.

1. Champlain Canalway Trail Action Plan A Guide for Communities

2. The Canalway Trail System Erie Champlain Oswego Cayuga-Seneca

3. Champlain Canalway Trail Working Group Lakes to Locks Passage Town of Halfmoon Town of Fort Edward Hudson Crossing Park Inc. Saratoga County Snowmobile Assn Washington County Assn of Snowmobile Clubs Washington County Planning Dept Warren County Planning Dept Saratoga PLAN Saratoga National Historical Park Agricultural Stewardship Assn NYS Canal Corporation Hudson River Valley Greenway Parks & Trails New York NYS Dept of Transportation Adirondack / Glens Falls Transportation Council Feeder Canal Alliance NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Assistance provided by the National Park Service Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance Program www.nps.gov/rtca

4. Our Goal: Complete and promote an attractive and continuous route for the Champlain Canalway Trail from Waterford to Whitehall, including: historic towpaths community attractions on-street bicycle routes part of a regional trail network

5. Our Approach: Local trail “open house” workshops Identify issues & opportunities Find ways communities can capture trail benefits Define trail route(s) “ Bicycles Bring Business” workshops Champlain Canalway Trail “Action Plan” Local and regional action Exploring ways to raise the profile of the trail Events & promotions Encouraging local Canalway Trail projects

6. Why an action plan & why now? Take advantage of opportunities Locally-driven; “help ourselves” Identify ways to work together

7. What are potential trail benefits in your community? Alternative transportation Better health Close-to-home recreation Trail events Bicycle tourism Fishing & boating access Link business to historic sites & other attractions Trailside art Boost real estate values Attract visitor spending to our communities Outdoor experiences for kids Safe routes to schools Walkable communities Local or regional trail & canal festival Snowmobiles bring business Preserve historic features

8. Trail Studies in New York Economic benefits to communities Trail user surveys Property owners’ attitudes Impacts on real estate Trail safety

9. Trail Marketing in New York Erie Canal Cycling guide Inn-to-Inn Touring 3-day Tours Champlain Bikeways

10. State of the Trail 71 miles total: 17 miles open today 14 miles planned or in construction 14 miles defined but not pieced together 26 miles – trail route undefined

11. Existing & Planned Trail Segments Whitehall Fort Ann to Ft Edward Glens Falls Feeder Canal Trail Schuylerville Saratoga NHP / Town Stillwater Halfmoon Waterford

12. Regional & Connecting Trails Lake Champlain Bikeways Feeder Canal Trail Warren County Bikeway Snowmobile Trails Zim Smith Trail Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail Delaware Ave Trail HRV Greenway Trail

13. What is in the Action Plan? Vision for the Trail Trail Benefits General recommendations Local maps & recommendations

14. The Vision: a World - Class Recreational Trail Destination Quality Comparable to Erie Canalway Trail Off-road where possible Shared use Serve local communities Link business districts, parks, historic sites, neighborhoods… Locally-driven

15. Economic Benefits of Trails Local spending by day users: Average $3 - $11 / day Total benefits to host communities: $1.2 - $1.9 million / year $200k - $600k / year in new money Erie Canalway Trail: $28m / year Property values: 0% - 6% increase near the trail Easier sales

16. Other Benefits of Trails Healthy physical activity Close to home / families Transportation / livability Walkable & bike-friendly Safe Routes to Schools History & community identity Preserve & link historic sites Connect us with our story

17. General Recommendations Act locally / coordinate regionally Support locally-based trail projects Establish regional linkages Promote consistent, high standards “ Activate” and promote the trail Trail-related events Bicycle tourism Enhance accommodations & Canal / trail linkages Shared facilities (water trail camping at locks) Pedestrian & bicycle - friendly practices

18. Local Recommendations Short sections 1 to 3 miles Existing conditions Key features Anchors & linkages Preferred & alternative routes Suggested actions Next steps Potential partners Key considerations

19. Possible within 1 – 3 years: Local and regional events Clean Sweep, Canal Splash & GHR Paddle National Trails Day, HRV Ramble Demonstration “signature” trail event On-road bike route linkages River Rd / Fort Miller Complete trail sections Schuylerville to Lock 5 Island Fort Ann to Kingsbury Waterford to Halfmoon Dix Bridge

20. Within 3 – 10 years: Promote trail tourism Trail tourism itineraries On-line marketing Expand services for trail users Complete more trail linkages Within communities, business districts, waterfronts Special planning studies for key trail “gap” areas Regional loops & linkages with other trails (Zim Smith, snowmobile trails, others)

21. Future Funding Transportation Enhancements (NYS-DOT) NYS Environmental Protection Fund (NYS-OPRHP) Recreational Trails Fund (NYS-OPRHP) Up to $200,000 Challenge Cost Share grants (NPS) Designated National Trails and RTCA-assisted rail-trails Up to $10,000 Hudson River Greenway Trails grants Up to $5,000

22. Next Steps: Coordinate regionally Canalway Trail Assn NY (CTANY) Funding & mutual support Outreach to communities & groups Encourage & support local projects Enhance the trail’s profile (web, events) Seek near-term successes On-the-ground success Optimize benefits to communities

23. Let’s Go

24. Champlain Canalway Trail Action Plan A Guide for Communities Find us on the web: www.hudsoncrossingpark.org www.hudsongreenway.ny.gov or invite us to your community to share the Action Plan