This document summarizes a community workshop about completing the Champlain Canalway Trail from Waterford to Whitehall. It discusses the goals of connecting existing trail segments and promoting the trail as part of a regional network. It provides information on the current state of the trail, including miles open, planned, and undefined. It also discusses potential trail opportunities and benefits, as well as addressing issues like route, funding, and gaining community support.

1. Completing the Champlain Canalway Trail Community workshops January 2009

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

3. Champlain Canalway Trail Working Group Lakes to Locks Passage Town of Halfmoon Hudson Crossing Saratoga County Snowmobile Assn Washington County Assn of Snowmobile Clubs Washington County Planning Dept Warren County Planning Dept Saratoga PLAN Saratoga National Historical Park NYS Canal Corporation Hudson River Valley Greenway Parks & Trails New York NYS Dept of Transportation Feeder Canal Alliance NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor NPS Rivers & Trails Program

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. What we are doing: Local trail “open house” workshops Identify issues & opportunities Find ways communities can capture trail benefits Define trail route(s) Champlain Canalway Trail “Action Plan” Local and regional action Exploring ways to raise the profile of the trail Events & promotions Corridor-wide trails conference? Encouraging local Canalway Trail projects

6. State of the Trail 58 miles total: 7 miles open today 13 miles planned or in construction 16 miles defined but not pieced together 22 miles – trail route undefined

7. Existing & planned Trail Segments Whitehall Fort Ann to Ft Edward Schuylerville Stillwater Halfmoon Waterford

8. Regional & Connecting Trails Champlain Bikeways Feeder Canal Trail Warren County Bikeway Snowmobile Trails Zim Smith Trail Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail

9. What’s happening on the Trail?

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

11. What are some potential trail opportunities? 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

12. 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 Property values: 0% - 6% increase near the trail Easier sales

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

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

15. Who will use the trail?

16. What is special along the Trail? Whitehall Hudson Crossing Park & Dix Bridge Saratoga National Historical Park Communities Hudson River access Locks

17. How will issues be addressed? Type(s) of trail along the route Public safety & emergency response Property values Trail ownership Costs of construction & maintenance Protecting & respecting private property

18. 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

19. Please give us your ideas: Issues & opportunities Mark up the maps Learn more about & offer your thoughts on: Trail benefits Trail planning & Trail use Trail construction & management Q&A