Clifton Park, New York - The Mohawk Towpath Byway and its municipal partners are planning a Byway Summit on March 20, 2014, at the Century House in Latham. The purpose of the summit will be to accept an action plan for scenic conservation and corridor enhancement, to optimize economic development, heritage and eco-tourism and the local quality of life in this portion of the Mohawk Valley. Municipalities will be asked to identify and evaluate projects and initiatives.
Municipal leaders, planners, supporters and Friends of the Byway have been invited to participate in the Summit.
The Mohawk Towpath Byway was established in 2003 by New York State. It follows the route of the historic Erie Canal between Cohoes, Waterford and Schenectady. As one travels the Byway they discover the story of the waterway west, the Erie Canal and the role our communities played in the westward expansion of the country and the Industrial Revolution. It became one of America's Byways© in 2005.
"We have been working on scenic conservation issues and strategies for seven years now," said Eric Hamilton executive director, "Now is the time to accept the action plan, embrace the strategies, and move toward implementation of the vision for the Byway's corridor."
Congressman Paul Tonko is the invited keynote speaker for the event.
The Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway Coalition is the not-for-profit corporation consisting of the eight municipalities through which the Byway passes over local, county, state and federal highway segments within Clifton Park, Colonie, Cohoes, Halfmoon, Niskayuna, Schenectady and Waterford.
"We have several improvement projects under way in the corridor," reports Lawrence D. Syzdek, chairman of the Coalition's board. "One includes additional interpretive kiosks along the Byway route. We will continue to expand and improve the audio tour of points of interest and assist the Town of Colonie in obtaining federal highway funds to improve the Cohoes Crescent Road. One of the most exciting projects is the reconstruction of the Towpath Trail through the Vischer Ferry Preserve to connect with the Town of Halfmoon."
"The Byway Summit will celebrate these numerous achievements as well as determine the course of the future of the Byway corridor and its recreational, historic, cultural, scenic, economic, and agricultural assets," summed up Clifton Park Supervisor Phil Barrett.
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Contact:
Eric Hamilton, Executive Director
Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway
admin@mohawktowpath.org
518-406-8610