Utica and Lyons Join Empire State Trail Town Program as Canal Communities Secure $208K in Tourism Grants
Two more New York communities are staking their futures on the transformative power of the Erie Canal corridor. On March 16, Parks & Trails New York announced that the City of Utica and the Town of Lyons have been selected as the newest members of the Empire State Trail Town program—bringing the initiative’s roster to 14 communities working to turn canal-side trail access into lasting economic growth.
A Big Win for Utica
Utica holds a special distinction as the largest Trail Town in the program’s history. The year-long initiative, funded by the New York State Canal Corporation, will provide the city with expert guidance, community workshops, and strategic recommendations aimed at strengthening connections between the Empire State and Erie Canalway Trail, Harbor Point, and the Mohawk River corridor.
“This is a huge win for Utica,” said Mayor Mike Galime, who sees the designation as an opportunity to turn “trail traffic into a real economic engine.” The goal is to bridge the gap between trail access and downtown attractions—dining, cultural offerings, and the vibrant neighborhoods that make Utica one of Upstate New York’s most compelling destinations.
Lyons Leans Into Its Three-Canal Heritage
The Town of Lyons brings a unique asset to the program: a National Register-listed Historic Downtown District and a rare three-canal heritage that few communities can match. Local partners have already invested in bike-friendly infrastructure and pedestrian improvements through the Lyons Main Street Program, laying the groundwork for the kind of trail-connected revitalization the program fosters.
“What excites me about Utica and Lyons is how the trail is becoming part of the story of each town,” said Paul Steely White of Parks & Trails New York. With the Canalway Trail system attracting nearly 4 million visits annually and the broader Empire State Trail generating over 9 million visits each year, the economic potential is real and growing.
$208K in Grants Fuel Canal Corridor Improvements
The Trail Town news arrives alongside another boost for canal communities. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and the NYS Canal Corporation have awarded $207,953 in tourism infrastructure and event grants to 41 organizations and municipalities across the canal system—the fifth year of a program that has now invested approximately $1 million in canal-side communities. This year’s grants, ranging from $500 to $24,000, are expected to leverage an additional $808,104 in local investment.
The funded projects read like a blueprint for accessible, welcoming trail towns. Lockport will create a tactile map and accessibility assessment for its historic locks district. Canajoharie is upgrading restrooms and accessibility at the Library and Art Gallery and nearby Arkell Museum. The Village of Clyde is adding Adirondack chairs and an accessible picnic table at its Welcome Center, and Montezuma’s High Street Trailhead Enhancement Project will install a drinking fountain, bottle-filling station, bike racks, and accessible picnic facilities at the entrance to Montezuma Heritage Park.
Building Toward the Bicentennial Season
These investments come at a pivotal moment. New York’s canal system is set to open for its 202nd consecutive navigation season on May 15, backed by a $50 million allocation in the state’s FY 2026 budget for canal infrastructure rehabilitation. From reservoir dams to aging steel gates to water control structures, the state is signaling that the canal system remains a priority—not just as a historic treasure, but as a living economic corridor.
For communities like Utica, Lyons, Lockport, and Montezuma, the message is clear: the Erie Canal’s best days are not behind it. With smart investments in accessibility, infrastructure, and community connection, the waterway that transformed American commerce two centuries ago is still transforming the towns along its banks.