By Jasmyn Belcher
Oswego, NY – Communities are being urged to make the most of the state's Canal System.
The New York State Canal Corporation is launching a new State Canalway Water Trail, a coordinated trail with boat launches, landings and campsites. The trail is featured on a new interactive map on the Canal Corporation's website.
Carmella Mantello is the director of the State Canal Corporation. She said businesses will develop as communities incorporate the Canal into their economic development plans.
"Communities are really going to bring New York State back," Mantello said. "They are really revitalizing the Upstate economies and despite the doom and gloom maybe on the state level, you can see at the local level there are many, many projects that are really thriving and the Canal is part of that revitalization effort."
Mantello said the Canal Corporation is planning to continue developing the Water Trail by adding launch and landing sites and more camping sites. A recent economic impact study found more than $380 million is generated through tourism along the Canal System.