March 22, 2026 | Vol. I, No. 3
The Erie Canal Foundation
Canal News & Community Updates
eriecanalfoundation.org
Headlines
Foundation Receives $250,000 Grant for Lock Restoration
A $250,000 grant from New York State will fund the restoration of historic Lock 33 in Rochester.
Annual Canal Fest Returns June 20-21 with Expanded Activities
Canal Fest 2026 features expanded activities including a new immersive “Canal Through Time” experience.
Youth Education Program Welcomes 500th Student
Our Youth Education Program reaches a milestone with its 500th student participant since launching in 2023.
Spring Canal Walk Season Opens April 15
Join us for guided walks along the historic Erie Canal. Free for members, $5 for non-members.
Featured
Utica and Lyons Join Erie Canalway Trail Town Family as New Grant Funding Energizes Canal Communities
By Sophie D’Amore | March 22, 2026
Two of New York’s most storied canal communities are stepping into the spotlight this spring. The City of Utica and the Town of Lyons have been officially named 2026 Empire State Trail Towns, joining a growing network of communities transforming the Erie Canalway Trail into a vibrant corridor for recreation, tourism, and economic development.
Selected through a competitive process administered by Parks & Trails New York and funded by the NYS Canal Corporation, the Trail Town program offers each designated community a year-long partnership including planning assistance, signage, and promotional support. Continue reading →
Spring 2026: $50 Million Investment and Free Adventures Herald an Exciting Season on the Erie Canal
As the snow melts along the canal corridor and spring takes hold across upstate New York, the Erie Canal is gearing up for what promises to be one of its most exciting seasons in modern history. With a $50 million state investment, new community grants, and free access for all… Read more →
Canal Life
Meet the Thomas X. Grasso: The 100-Ton Ice Breaker Protecting the Mohawk River
When winter’s grip tightens, ice jams on the Mohawk River can spell disaster for nearby communities…
Spring Canal Walk Season Opens April 15
Join us for guided walks along the historic Erie Canal starting April 15. Free for members.
Canal Fest 2026: What to Expect
Expanded activities including a new immersive “Canal Through Time” experience for all ages.
Youth Education Program Hits Milestone
500th student participant celebrates the program’s growing reach since 2023.
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