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About
Since its establishment under New York State Canal Law in 1992, the Canal Recreationway Commission (CRC) has been dedicated to developing the New York State Canal System into a vibrant recreationway that enriches communities and connects people to the cultural, historic and natural treasures of our waterways. Adopted by the Commission in 1995, the first Canal Recreationway Plan laid the foundation for a decades-long transition from a post-industrial waterway to a thriving collection of canals and recreational trails that has contributed immeasurably to the quality of life in Upstate New York and drawn thousands of visitors from around the world each year.
Empowered by its mandate and inspired by the upcoming bicentennial of the Erie Canal, the CRC felt there was no better time to revisit and reaffirm its vision for the Canal System. This Canal Recreationway Plan 2050 casts its gaze a quarter century into the future, contemplating how New York State might continue to build upon the success of the 1995 Plan to further the System’s impact on tourism, recreation and economic development while expanding its focus to include environmental stewardship, accessibility and strategic land use.
Applying the Plan
The CRC 2050 Plan is a long-term framework for improving access, amenities and experiences along the New York State Canal System. Developed with stakeholder input, the plan outlines strategic priorities for investment and revitalization over the coming decades.
Learn more about how this plan will impact the experience of being on the New York State Canal System.
Treating our Public Spaces like Parks
Delivering a high-quality visitor experience is key to enhancing public reception and ensuring the lasting success of the Canal System. Done well, with easy-to-navigate trails, engaging activities, and well-maintained facilities, the System will feel welcoming and memorable for all. To achieve this, the New York State Canal System is making a commitment to investing in and prioritizing visitor experience, just as with any major parks and recreation system.
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.
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 are below 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 identified the 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 design guidelines for amenities and signage and should be used as a planning tool for future recreational investments along the Canal system.
Commitment to Accessibility
As a public asset, the Canal System is striving to being truly accessible for all members of the public. Recent efforts led by NYPA and Canals with local non-profits have helped improve the physical accessibility of boat launches, trails, and Canalside facilities, creating a model that is starting to be implemented more widely across the system. NYSCC is dedicated to expanding these practices to all other spaces on the system to ensure improved access for all ages and capabilities.
Recommended actions from the 2050 Plan:
1. Incorporate best practices for accessible and inclusive design for all ages and capabilities as core criteria in the design review process for all public-facing projects including parks, trails, and docks.
2. Assemble an accessibility and inclusion taskforce, composed of both internal leaders at NYSCC and external experts, to more deeply engrain accessibility into all aspects of Canal operations and spaces.
3. Continue to provide training and technical support for private businesses along the Canal to make their spaces and services more accessible to visitors and residents.
