Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) with generous funding provided by the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation awards $60,000 in competitive grants to six Western New York communities. These Trail Town Grants support a broader initiative aimed at boosting local economies by leveraging visitation to nearby public lands. The grants are used to promote place-making efforts, improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and implement community-driven projects that prioritize active transportation alternatives for cyclists and pedestrians.
This year’s awardees include:
- Town of Belfast ($15,000) to improve connectivity between the Genesee Valley Greenway and the town core with wayfinding and safety signage, an info kiosk, new bike racks, and an interactive engagement rubbing station project featuring trailside plates and a reward system hosted at the local library to encourage town exploration.
- Village of Avon ($15,000) for parking lot improvements at the Five Arch Bridge trailhead including prep work and asphalt installation to provide safer access and egress for users of Five Arch Bridge/Avon Driving Park trails.
- Village of Brockport ($3,600) to develop and print new brochures to be distributed from the Village’s welcome center. The materials will contain information about Brockport’s connections to the Erie Canalway Trail and other local recreational opportunities.
- Village of Mount Morris ($14,553) to improve safety and accessibility in its frequently used Pocket Park by replacing deteriorated surfaces with a durable brick paver walkway and repairing structural walls. These improvements will create a more welcoming and inclusive gathering space for the community.
- Village of Perry ($4,824) for beautification efforts along the popular Silver Lake Trail including new historical interpretive signage and improved seating.
- Village of Scottsville ($7,022) for placemaking signage identifying three municipal parks and the creation of a pollinator garden at Canawaugus Park.
The grants will enable communities residing along the 90-mile Genesee Valley Greenway State Park and the western portion of the Empire State Trail to take advantage of visitation to these trails and other outdoor recreational resources in the area, create safer streets for cyclists and pedestrians, and implement projects identified in the communities’ action plans.
Since 2021, PTNY has supported regional Trail Town initiatives that harness the power of local trails and other outdoor recreation resources to boost the region’s economic recovery and create a robust, sustainable outdoor economy. Through this initiative, participating communities create a strategy that can serve as the basis of their planning and promotional efforts for years to come.
This is the 4th round of funding for the Western New York Trail Town Grants program. Initially focused on communities in the Genesee Valley corridor, the program has expanded to eligible communities along the western section of the Empire State Trail. Since the first round in 2022, more than $240,000 has been awarded to enhance the connection of trails to communities. A list of all funded projects can be found at: https://ptny.memberclicks.net/trail-town-grants#past-awards
The growing popularity of trail visitation and outdoor recreation proves there is a significant need for increased infrastructure and amenities to accommodate trail users. Through data collection work by monitoring trail counters and obtaining location analytics, PTNY continues to generate reports and information reflecting this upward trend throughout New York State. Much of these findings can be accessed at: https://www.ptny.org/reports/
