A dedication ceremony was held on Friday, June 13, to celebrate the opening of the Brockport Pedestrian Bridge over the Erie Canal. Brockport High School’s marching band led the community in a first walk across the bridge following the ribbon cutting and residents and visitors alike gathered for an aerial photo to mark the occasion.
The pedestrian bridge connects SUNY Brockport to the Empire State Trail and the village’s downtown. The area surrounding the bridge’s entrances provides additional opportunities for people to connect with the Erie Canal in a parklike setting, while complementing the Village of Brockport’s installation of a kayak dock and recently completed boathouse. The bridge will also serve as a viewing platform for future rowing competitions on the canal.
“On behalf of Governor Kathy Hochul, I’m proud to recognize this $9.5 million investment from the New York Power Authority, NYS Canal Corporation and the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, which enhances accessibility, sustainability, and opportunity right here in the heart of the village,” said JW Cook, Finger Lakes Regional Representative for the governor and a Brockport native. “This is more than infrastructure – it’s a community investment. And it’s just one part of a broader commitment to Brockport, including a $4.5 million NY Forward grant helping reimagine our waterfront, support small businesses, and revitalize downtown.”
In 2021, NYPA selected SHoP Architects, a New York City-based New York State Small Business Enterprise firm, and Arup to design and engineer the new pedestrian crossing. The design and materials used to build the bridge represent NYPA and the New York State Canal Corporation’s commitment to sustainability and current best practices for accessibility. With its gentle elevation change, the pedestrian bridge is fully accessible and integrates sustainable features such as native species planting, stormwater rain gardens, LED light fixtures, and compliance to Dark Sky principles. In addition, the bridge’s major structural elements utilize locally fabricated steel, sustainable wood decking, and a low VOC durable paint.
New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said, “As we commemorate 200 years of the Erie Canal, the Brockport Pedestrian Bridge will serve as an enduring reminder of this monumental year. NYPA and the Canal Corporation are hard at work ensuring the Erie Canal remains a vibrant part of New York State’s fabric for the next 100 years, and this bridge ensures that progress will continues for many decades to come.”
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation contributed to the bridge’s construction through a $2 million grant, which was administered by the Rochester Area Community Foundation.
Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Director of Parks & Trails Initiative J.J. Tighe said, “As the Erie Canal celebrates its Bicentennial, it remains an important connection from Buffalo to New York City. This new pedestrian bridge adds to that legacy by linking SUNY Brockport, the village, local businesses, and the Empire State Trail. We’re excited for what the next century holds for the Erie Canal as it continues to provide recreational and economic opportunities across New York State, while improving access and inviting residents and visitors to explore the Canal and the vibrant communities along its path. We’re proud to support projects like this that create lasting connections between people and places.”
SUNY Brockport President Heidi Macpherson said, “The Erie Canal is a national treasure, and we are so fortunate to be the only one of SUNY’s 64 campuses that gets to call it home. SUNY Brockport takes great pride in being a University that is engaged with its community and this pedestrian bridge is a tangible example of that commitment, as it physically connects our campus with the Village of Brockport and the Empire State Trail. I can’t think of a more fitting way for our community to celebrate the canal’s bicentennial anniversary.”
Village of Brockport Mayor Margay Blackman said, “Brockport’s fully accessible new pedestrian bridge across the Erie Canal is nothing short of a destination. Its sinuous deck of black locust sweeps around the 100-year-old historic guard gate that controls canal water levels. Native plantings at each end of the bridge and Canalside benches invite village residents, SUNY students, and visitors to linger and enjoy the view. Our thanks to NYPA, the Canal Corporation, the Ralph Wilson Foundation, and the Community Foundation for this significant investment in Brockport’s canal recreation and tourism.”
Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Executive Director Bob Radliff said, “Since its inception, the Erie Canal has been all about forging connections. It connected the Atlantic Ocean with the Great Lakes, the interior of America with the coast, and cities and towns all along its path with distant markets. The Brockport Pedestrian Bridge offers a new and exciting canal connection. We hope this link between SUNY Brockport and the Erie Canal will be enjoyed by students and community members for years to come.”
Parks & Trails New York Executive Director Paul Steely White said, “We are incredibly proud to see the people of Brockport reimagine the future of the historic canalfront. As our first Empire State Trail Town, we’ve worked closely with Brockport to build up the region’s capacity to host cyclists and build community around active recreation and transportation. This pedestrian bridge will connect the Village of Brockport and SUNY Brockport with the 750-mile Empire State Trail, creating safer, more accessible pathways for locals and visitors alike.”
Provided information
Photos by Karen Fien
