Veterans Canal Park awarded NYS grant

The Town of Amherst's Erie Canal Greenway Veterans Canal Park rehabilitation project was recently awarded a grant from New York State.

The $103,226 grant is one of 54 awarded across the state to support recreation, historic interpretation and revitalization along the New York State canal system. The total of the grants was nearly $8.4 million.

Amherst will use the funding for the rehabilitation of a deteriorated boat launch, resurfacing the adjacent parking lot and the building of a storage facility to house on-site maintenance equipment.

"For more than 180 years, the New York State Canal System has served as a catalyst for economic growth and prosperity," Gov. George E. Pataki said. "As a commercial waterway, it helped fuel the westward expansion of our nation, and (now) our canal system is being redefined as a vibrant and thriving recreational and tourism destination."

He added, "These grants will enable local communities to capitalize on this tremendous recourse to encourage new development, create new jobs and improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers."

The Erie Canal Greenway Grant Program, administered by the Canal Corporation, was created in 2006 to spur community revitalization along the 524-mile canal system. All grants require a 50/50 local match.

More than 81 applications were submitted and grants were awarded on a competitive basis to local communities and not-for-profit organizations for projects that meet the objectives of Pataki's vision for the canal system.

Visit www.canals.state.ny.us for information.