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New
York State Parks Announces the Completion
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of
the West River Shoreline Trail
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Albany,
NY – October 2018 / Newsmaker Alert / The New York State Office of
Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (Parks) announces that work
to convert the former West River Parkway into a multi- use recreational
trail that connects the City of Buffalo to the City of Niagara Falls has
been completed.
The
$2.5 million Parks 2020 project transformed two lanes of highway into a
vehicle free multi-use, multi-season trail that runs along eight miles
of the Niagara River from Beaver Island State Park to Buckhorn State Park.
It includes refurbished overlooks, landscaping and year-round access to
the water while closing a significant gap in the Niagara River Greenway
Shoreline Trail. Funding for the project was provided by a $1.6 million
federal grant as well as $900,000 from the New York Power Authority though
the Niagara River Greenway Commission.
New
York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner
Rose Harvey said, “The West River Shoreline Trail is certain to become
one of the best places to recreate in all of Western New York. Connecting
communities and creating more places to enjoy is vital to the work we do
at Parks and this project does all of that and more. We look forward to
seeing families from all over New York State and beyond enjoying this newest
recreational asset.”
New
York State Power Authority President and CEO Gil C. Quiniones said “The
Power Authority is proud to support the great work by State Parks on many
recent recreational improvements at Western New York parks and other public
areas. To support State Parks’ efforts to fast track its restoration initiatives,
including the major upgrades at Niagara Falls State Park and the West River
Shoreline Trail, NYPA provided a lump-sum, advance payment of $25 million
from funding set aside for Greenway improvements. Not only are these improvements
an investment in future tourism, they enhance the local quality-of-life
and provide more access to the waterfront for community enjoyment.”
Congressman
Brian Higgins said “With the opening of the West River Shoreline Trail
we leave behind Robert Moses-inspired, car-centric, underused infrastructure
and replace it with a smarter, greener alternative that continues the great
progress we’ve made opening up access to Western New York’s waterfront.
This is a great recreational feature that adds to the quality of life for
residents living in the Town of Grand Island and beyond.”
Assemblyman
Angelo Morinello said “With the completion of the project, we add another
asset to the other eco-tourism industry not only here in Western New York
but in New York State. I appreciate State Parks taking on this project
as well as their commitment to keeping this trail free of commercial development.”
Grand
Island Supervisor Nathan McMurray said “Having eight miles of beautiful
shoreline to dedicated to safe pedestrian and bicycle traffic will be a
huge benefit for Grand Island and for all of Western New York. The Trail
will connect the 1,300+ acres of green space in Beaver Island and Buckhorn
State Parks, and provide a unique recreation opportunity for residents
and visitors alike.”
Completion
of this project comes just months after Governor Cuomo introduced cashless
tolling to Grand Island and opened the newest I Love NY Welcome Center,
just a mile from the trail.
The
New
York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees
more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses,
boat launches and more, which are visited by 71 million people annually.
A recent study found that New York State Parks generates $5 billion in
park and visitor spending, which supports nearly 54,000 jobs and over $2.8
billion in additional state GDP. For more information on any of these recreation
areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit
www.parks.ny.gov,
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Contact:
Press
Office
Angela
Berti
716-278-1764 |