| Press Release: NYS CANAL CORP., September 15, 2004
Al LePage,
executive director of National Coast Trail Association (Portland, Oregon) is on
his way to becoming the first long-distance hiker and kayaker to complete, in
one continuous trip, the envisioned "Great Northeast Trail" from the Atlantic to
Lake Ontario.
LePage plans to first hike some 400 miles and then paddle another 300 miles
to eventually reach Oswego, New York via the historic Canal System. To complete
this journey, LePage will be traveling along the "Great Northeast Trail" – an
envisioned continuous recreational 400-mile hiking and 300-mile paddling trail
from the Atlantic to the shores of Lake Ontario through Maine, New Hampshire,
Vermont and the New York State Canal System.
“We’re pleased that Mr. LePage has utilized the Canal System to complete this
700-mile adventure. The trip not only promotes the importance of the nation’s
natural resources, but also highlights the vast recreational opportunities that
exist along New York’s historic waters,” said Canal Corporation Executive
Director Michael Fleischer.
On the morning of Friday, September 17, LePage will be at the Riverside
Marina in Rome, New York. Drenched in its own history, Rome, New York is home to
the Erie Canal Village, Fort Stanwix National Monument, the final resting place
for Francis Bellamy – author of the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier.
Mr. LePage has already completed 400 miles of hiking and is in the process of
paddling another 300 miles by way of the Champlain, Erie and Oswego Canals to
reach Lake Ontario.
“The Canal System is often used by pleasure boats with motors, but I really
think there’s great potential already being realized by paddlers, too,” said
LePage. “The New York State Canal System has also already developed many, many
miles of biking and hiking pathways on the old tow paths. So, it seems it’s
really up to you how you want to explore its length- hiking, cycling or
paddling.”
In 2001, designated as the nation's 23rd National Heritage Corridor, the New
York Canal System joined the ranks of America's most treasured historical
resources. Comprised of four Canals – the Champlain, Erie, Cayuga/Seneca and
Oswego- the Canal System is historically significant for the many contributions
it has made to establish New York State as an international center of commerce.
For more information about National Coast Trail Association or the “Atlantic
to Great Lakes” event, please call 503-335-3876 or visit the organization’s
Website at www.coasttrails.org.
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