Parks & Trails New York (PTNY), with generous funding provided by the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, has announced $61,754 in competitive grants to eight municipalities in Western New York, including the Village of Brockport. These Trail Town Grants support a broader initiative aimed at boosting local economies by leveraging visitation to nearby public lands. The grants are used to promote place-making efforts, improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and implement community-driven projects that prioritize active transportation alternatives for cyclists and pedestrians.
The grants will enable communities residing along the 90-mile Genesee Valley Greenway and the western portion of the Empire State Trail to take advantage of visitation to these trails and other outdoor recreational resources in the area. The Trail Town grants help foster place-making efforts, encourage safer, more accessible streets for cyclists and pedestrians in Trail Town communities, and spur investment in new amenities, materials, events, and programs geared towards outdoor users.
Since 2019, PTNY has supported regional Trail Town programs. A concept that was born along the Great Allegheny Passage has spread to other parts of the country, including in New York State. Parks & Trails New York has been able to support a similar initiative in the rural Genesee Valley region in partnership with the Friends of the Genesee Valley Greenway, the Office of State Parks, and Letchworth Gateway Villages. As part of PTNY’s portfolio along the Erie Canalway Trail, sponsored by the New York State Canal Corporation, this program has expanded to communities along the 750-mile Empire State Trail, helping municipalities harness the power of the Empire State Trail to boost local economies. Trail Towns create a robust, sustainable outdoor economy focused on natural assets and quality of life.
Through this initiative, participating communities are able to identify and establish a strong community brand and identity. This foundation helps create a unique and memorable destination appeal, fostering a sense of place, and attracting visitors who seek authentic experiences that reflect the area’s culture, heritage, and attractions.
The growing popularity of outdoor recreation tourism demands a strategic investment in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and amenities. These Trail Town seed grants can make a big impact by providing the essential funding needed to enhance trails, support local businesses, and create vibrant outdoor recreation hubs that attract visitors and strengthen community pride.
Awardees include:
•Village of Brockport ($12,349) for the purchase and installation of bike racks and inclusive wayfaring signage at Brockport’s popular downtown and waterfront destinations near the Erie Canalway Trail.
•Town of Wheatland ($15,000) for improvements to the 60-acre Indian Allan Park adjacent to the Genesee Valley Greenway creating access for pedestrians and cyclists into the parkland’s scenic riparian features of Oatka Creek and pathways through the open fields.
•Village of Perry ($8,996) for the installation of a bicycle repair station and a water filling station at the Memorial Park/Main St trailhead.
•RVER (Regional Ventures in Economic Revitalization) Group / Town of Caneadea ($7,115) to install light pole banners on the main road through the town’s three hamlets and signage at each end of town creating a more unified visitor experience.
•Town of Mount Morris ($7,487) to enhance the visitor experience by adding new benches on Main Street, installing a water filling station on the Genesee Valley Greenway, and to attract more visitors to the nearby Powell Park and kayak launch by installing new signage from the trail.
•Lockport Main Street ($4,050) to create a brochure map of the City of Lockport designed to connect visitors and users of the Empire State Trail to local businesses, amenities, and attractions.
•Letchworth Gateway Villages ($3,756) to print and distribute brochures and rack cards to highlight and promote individual Genesee Valley Trail Towns.
•Village of Avon ($3,000) for the installation of a water fill and pet station in the Erie-Attica trailhead park.
For more information about PTNY, visit www.ptny.org.
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