MAKE A DONATION | AUGUST 2014 | BECOME A MEMBER

Dear Friend -

August has five weekends this year so there's still time to knock off a few items on your summer bucket list.

Would you like to try a new trail? New York has more than 100 rail and canal trails, greenway and bikeways. Check them out on our TrailFinder site.

And, if you've never experienced the granddaddy of all New York multi-use trails --the Erie Canalway Trail -- this is a great time to do it.

The Erie Canalway Trail has been prominent in our activities this summer. In the midst of our 16^th annual Cycling the Erie Canal bike tour, as 500 cyclists from 34 states and 3 countries cycled from Buffalo to Albany, we released a new report on the economic impact of the Trail. The findings are impressive and, hopefully, will encourage closing the gaps in the 360-mile Trail and continued investment in it.

Enjoy the rest of summer.

Best,

Robin

Robin Dropkin
Executive Director

Erie Canalway Trail...By the Numbers

The Erie Canalway Trail has a major impact on the economy and quality of life of Upstate New York and PTNY's new report has the data to prove it.

Bike Tours Highlight NYS History and Scenery

What better way to experience the amazing history and beautiful scenery New York has to offer than by bike. Participants in our two summer bike tours -- Cycling the Erie Canal and Cycling the Hudson Valley -- would certainly agree. Check out photos from the tours.

2014 Advocacy Efforts Pay Off

PTNY spearheaded advocacy efforts this year that led to important victories for New York's parks and trails, as well as bicyclists and pedestrians. But there is much more work ahead to make New York a leader in outdoor recreation and bicycle and pedestrian safety.

Protected Bike Lanes Proliferate

What exactly are protected bike lanes, why are they important, and why are they gaining popularity? Find out so you can ensure that your community makes the investment.

Federal Bills Would Boost Funding for Parks and Trails

When Congress returns from its summer recess it will have the opportunity to take up two bills that would provide new funding opportunities for parks, trails, biking and walking -- in other words, all the things we love!

PTNY Growing the Grassroots Grant Makes Conservancy's Publications Shine

A Growing the Grassroots capacity-building grant from PTNY helped the Chestnut Ridge Conservancy in Erie County undertake its first major effort to restore the park, one of the largest county parks in the nation.

"Wedding of the Waters" Redux

Two Cycling the Erie Canal riders recreated the famous 1825 "wedding of the waters" ceremony in which a barrel of water from Lake Erie was transported to the Atlantic Ocean via the Erie Canal.

Short Takes	Resources/Awards	Calendar
Buckle Up, NY! (even in state parks)	Submit nominations in up to 19 different categories for American Trails' 2015 National & International Trails Awards	August: Bikeshare Moves Across New York State with Demo Month in Capital District
Ride from NYC to DC to benefit PTNY! Sign up for Climate Ride's NYC-DC trip and be sure to select PTNY as a beneficiary!	Submit your best Erie Canal photo for the 2014 Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Calendar Photo Contest	September 13: Celebrate 100 years of Thacher State Park
The master planning process has begun for Sampson, Wellesley Island, and Dewolf Point and Waterson Point State Parks.	Two Hudson Valley funding opportunities available! Act now! Hudson River Greenway Hudson River Improvement Fund	September 19: PARK(ing) Day, coming to a downtown near you