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The Canal Corporation offers a revitalized look for its public spaces, unifying the 524-mile New York State Canal system. This modernization effort, commemorating the Erie Canal’s Bicentennial and marking the Canal system's entry into its third century of operation, introduces updated Canal Corporation and Canalway Trail signage along with a cohesive palette of park-like amenities to provide a consistent look and feel. These upgrades align with the Canal Recreationway 2050 Plan, aiming to provide a welcoming and accessible experience for all visitors through consistent, high-quality park-like environments.
Key Components of the Design Standards
Amenities Standardization to Improve User Experience
The Canal Design Standards are intended to assist communities in the planning and implementation of public space improvements on properties owned by the New York State Canal Corporation. Through the exploration of typical conditions along the canal and identification of design opportunities, this guide illustrates how a thoughtful and consistent application of pre-selected materials and site furnishings can be used to establish a cohesive design language and promote the canals as a nexus of recreational activity and economic vibrancy. The Standards provide guidance on the selection and installation of canal amenities and landscape features. Click here to review and download our Canal Design Standards.
Signage Standards
The Signage Standards include updated guidelines to create a consistent and recognizable look across all canal sites. These standards cover materials, fonts, colors, placement and branding elements to ensure that visitors know—wherever across the corridor they are—that they’re on the Canal System.
The goal is not uniformity for uniformity’s sake, but clarity, cohesion and pride of place. The standards also support accessibility and wayfinding improvements and are designed to to complement local aesthetics and maintain a shared visual identity.
Signage design files and templates can be accessed here for your convenience.
The goal is not uniformity for uniformity’s sake, but clarity, cohesion and pride of place. The standards also support accessibility and wayfinding improvements and are designed to to complement local aesthetics and maintain a shared visual identity.
Signage design files and templates can be accessed here for your convenience.
Gap Analysis
In partnership with the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and partially funded by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the New York State Canal Corporation undertook an assessment of the recreational amenities along the Erie Canal. The Amenities Study identifiedthe location and condition of visitor amenities, including things like seating, signage, lighting, public restrooms, and bike racks. The assessment also identified where there are gaps in providing amenities and where there are opportunities to enhance the user experience. The Study complements both the 2050 Plan and the new designguidelines for amenities and signage and should be used as a planning tool for future recreational investments along the Canal system.
Click here to review and download our Erie Canal Amenities Study Report.
