By Harold Sherrell
Buffalo, NY – Plans are in the works to develop a greenway along New York's historic Erie Canal.
Thursday, officials of the State Canal Corporation stopped in Lockport as part of an ongoing tour of canal cities to gain input on how best to develop the canal waterfront. The corporation's director, Carmella Mantello, said the so-called "Canal Connections Tour" will be making ten stops in the coming weeks.
Mantello said she's excited about the prospects for canal development.
"One hundred eighty years ago, the Erie Canal was built by people working together across 500 miles of New York State," Mantello said. "Their accomplishment created a gateway from New York City to the rest of the nation. We will invigorate, energize and continue to create partnerships to again re-open that gateway."
Mantello also announced Thursday that nearly $600,000 would be contributed to reconstruct the canal railing along the historic locks in Lockport.