Village of Brockport celebrates kick-off of Empire State Trail Town Program
Brockport residents and visitors are invited to learn about the program and share their thoughts on how the Village can foster a “trail culture” and improve trail user safety, comfort, and inclusivity
The public is invited to celebrate the kick-off of the Empire State Trail Town program in Brockport by participating in a “Trail Town Chat” on Monday, May 23, 6 p.m., at the Seymour Library and a seven-mile bike ride around Brockport on May 24, 6 p.m., at the Brockport Welcome Center. Both of these events will allow residents to share their thoughts and ideas on accessibility, equity, community engagement, beautification, and infrastructure. The bike ride is open to people of all ages and abilities, proceeding at a “party pace” of no more than 8-10 MPH. The ride will end back at the Welcome Center with pizza provided by Mark’s Pizzeria, music, and conversation. Feedback collected during these events will be crucial for identifying the Village’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities as a Trail Town.
Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) and the New York State Canal Corporation (NYSCC) developed the Empire State Trail Town program to demonstrate the value of the 750-mile Empire State Trail as an economic driver and a catalyst for community building. With the trail’s completion in 2020, the Erie Canalway Trail – the east-west leg of the statewide system – is poised to serve as one of the state’s premier recreation destinations.
Inspired by the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail Town program, and building on successful efforts by New York State to invest in the Canal corridor through the Reimagine the Canals Initiative, the Empire State Trail Town program will showcase how the Erie Canalway Trail can support long-term economic, health, and quality of life benefits for the community and surrounding area.
The Village of Brockport was selected as the first Empire State Trail Town because the “Victorian Village on the Erie Canal” has a strong community identity tied to the Erie Canal and the Erie Canalway Trail. Brockport boasts a dedicated network of stakeholders invested in improving access to nearby recreation opportunities, creating safe places for pedestrians and cyclists, and working with local leaders to increase the visibility of the Canalway Trail system as a recreation destination.
A core team of steering committee members made up of municipal staff, the Brockport Welcome Center, and Walk!Bike!Brockport, are building on these efforts by working with PTNY and the NYSCC to develop an action plan. The action plan will offer short- and long-term recommendations to help local stakeholders attract and profit from the growing bicycle tourism market, strengthen the strong partnerships developed during the year, create safer streets for bicyclists and pedestrians during the Main Street bridge closure and beyond, and drive trail users to Main Street businesses.
Other opportunities will be available throughout the summer for Brockport community members to provide input on the process, including a survey that will help the Village of Brockport understand how it can better accommodate its residents and visitors, make incremental changes to guarantee that residents and visitors are afforded a quality experience along the Erie Canalway Trail and within the community, and identify factors that both encourage and deter residents and visitors from exploring the surrounding area.
Robin Dropkin, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York, said, “We are so excited to celebrate the kick-off of the Empire State Trail Town program by facilitating conversations with Brockport residents about how they think their Village can further develop its relationship with the trail.”
New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said, “Over the past two years, the Empire State Trail has brought New Yorkers and tourists alike to communities like Brockport to enjoy the very best recreation opportunities the state has to offer. As one of the premier destinations for bikers, hikers, and walkers, as well as its closely tied history to the Erie Canal, Brockport serves as the ideal place to kick off the summer season and the Empire State Trail Town program. By sharing ideas on accessibility, equity, community engagement and more, we are ensuring there are fresh opportunities for all to experience in every corner of the Empire State.”
Margaret Blackman, Mayor of the Village of Brockport, said, “PTNY has worked diligently with us as we develop and strengthen Erie Canalway tourism and recreation in Brockport. We’re gearing up for a stimulating conversation May 23rd with you at the Seymour Library on the trail town program and look forward to continuing our conversation with you on a guided bike tour around Brockport, May 24th.”
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