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Greenways FBNR is working with numerous partners to create a greenway system from Lake Ontario along the Niagara River to Lake Erie. The greenway would serve as a framework of environmental improvements, cultural resource protection, enhanced recreational opportunities and heritage and ecological tourism development in the Niagara River Corridor. In addition, FBNR is working with local communities and organizations on several greenway systems along Niagara tributaries to provide riparian habitat, erosion and flood control and public access opportunities. Governor Announced Niagara River Greenway Commission (May 04) GEORGE E. PATAKI, GOVERNOR GOVERNOR PATAKI TO INTRODUCE BILL TO CREATE NIAGARA RIVER GREENWAY COMMISSION Will Help Communities Reconnect to River, Encourage Tourism and Create New Jobs Fulfilling a commitment made in his 2004 State of the State Address, Governor George E. Pataki today announced he will officially submit legislation tomorrow that will create the Niagara River Greenway Commission. The Commission, which will be made up of fourteen members, will aid in the planning and development of a Lake Ontario to Lake Erie greenway of interconnected parks, river access points and waterfront trails along the Niagara River. “Just as the Hudson River Park Trust redefined the West Side of Manhattan and the Hudson River Valley Greenway Council brings together and assists local planning efforts to preserve and protect our natural resources in the Hudson Valley, the Niagara River Greenway Commission will provide a solid framework in helping local communities develop a linear park system along the Niagara River,” Governor Pataki said. “The Commission will allow dozens of communities – both on the River and nearby – to boost local tourism, enhance recreation and create new jobs and economic opportunities for the people of Western New York.” Assembly Minority Leader Charles H. Nesbitt said, “The creation of the Niagara River Greenway Commission will bring tourist dollars to all of the communities between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. I applaud Governor Pataki for providing New Yorkers and all of its visitors from around the world a new way to experience the scenic beauty of Western New York.” Senator Dale M. Volker said, “I congratulate the Governor for his commitment to the Niagara waterways. The natural beauty found in Western New York will be further served by the creation of the Greenway Commission.” Senator George D. Maziarz said, “Getting this Commission formed is the first step in building on the wonderful park systems we already have in the Buffalo-Niagara region. As a representative of the Niagara River area, I commend the Governor for his leadership in helping to develop tourism and recreation along this scenic corridor.” Senator Mary Lou Rath said, “This is welcome news for our community. The Greenway Commission will assist Western New York in the efforts to integrate the natural resources of our area with economic development concerns. I commend Governor Pataki in this effort.” Senator Byron W. Brown said, “It has long been apparent that the Niagara River is the untapped asset of our region. Bringing the commission together with the work of dedicated community residents, we have a real opportunity to highlight the Niagara River as a world-class destination for work or for play.” Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte said, “I’m sure a Niagara River Greenway Commission will dovetail nicely with the ongoing efforts of groups like the Niagara Falls Waterfront Revitalization Committee and others that seek to develop and preserve public access to the Niagara Waterfront.” The Niagara River spans 35 miles from Lake Erie at Buffalo, to Lake Ontario at the site of the historic Fort Niagara in Youngstown, NY. Currently, the Canadian side of the Niagara River has a continuous green space along its shores managed by the Niagara Parks Commission. Under terms of the legislation, the Commission will be responsible for developing a plan that will:
Under the Governor’s proposed legislation, the Commission’s complete plan must be submitted to the Governor within two years of the effective date of the act for review and approval. The Commission will be responsible for establishing advisory committees including a Local Government Advisory Committee consisting of the chief elected official of each municipality adjacent to the River and a Citizens’ Advisory Committee consisting of various interest groups. Activities of the Commission will be coordinated with each municipality and their park, cultural, and local planning activities. The Commission will not have the power of eminent domain. The Commission will be made up of 14 voting members, with eight appointed by the Governor. Two of the eight will be appointed upon the recommendation of the Temporary President of the State Senate, and two upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the Assembly. Each of those appointments must be comprised of residents of a municipality adjacent to the Niagara River. Additionally, six voting members of the Commission will serve “ex officio.” They include the Secretary of State, and the Commissioners of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Department of Environmental Conservation, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Economic Development, as well as the Chairperson of the New York Power Authority, or their designees. Each of the appointees will serve a term of four years. The members will receive no compensation for their service and the Governor will select a chairperson for the Commission. The Commission will meet at least once every two months until approval of its plan by the Governor, and will meet quarterly thereafter.
Recognizing that a multi-use shoreline trail could
be created from Old Fort Niagara all the way through Erie County and
beyond to the Pennsylvania state line, the GBNRTC is securing
signatures to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that would promote
coordinated signage, maintenance, and investment in the trail. Each
municipality would retain ownership of and responsibility for their
portion of the trail, but by uniting the possibility of attracting
new grants and the overall user experience will be augmented. A 454-mile federally designated National Recreation Trail, the New York Seaway Trail is a scenic route intended for use by car, RV, tour bus, bicycle or boat. Hiking and camping are also available at parks and campgrounds along the way. Seaway Trail Pennsylvania is a 50 mile continuation of the route through northwest Erie County along Lake Erie. Robert Moses Parkway Removal The current configuration’s extensive impervious pavement, designed for a high-speed expressway, poses significant environmental and access problems for adjacent habitat areas, river water quality and the community’s use of the corridor for parks and recreation. Removal options deserve serious and detailed consideration. Links FBNR letter for parkway removal FBNR letter to Parks regarding Pilot study Niagara Heritage Partnership website Existing Waterfront Greenway Parks Four Mile Creek State Park Fort Niagara State Park Joseph Davis State Park Lewiston Landing ArtPark Reservoir State Park Niagara Falls State Park Whilrpool State Park Devils Hole State park Beaver Island Buckhorn Island Gratwick Riverside Park Riverwalk Riverside Park Tributary Greenways Buffalo River A greenway linking the Buffalo River and Cazenovia
Creek to the City of Buffalo Inner Harbor and Lake Erie has been
proposed since the 1970s. Committed to transforming this vision
into reality, the Friends of the Buffalo Niagara Rivers prepared a
greenway implementation plan in 2003 that develop a trail system
that reflects current conditions and outlines a strategy for
greenway development. The plan builds upon the Buffalo River Urban
Canoe Trail facilities Cayuga Creek The City of Niagara Falls has identified $5,000 of 2004 casino funding for FBNR for the design and development of a canoe trail along Cayuga Creek in Niagara County. FBNR anticipates that the project should begin in summer 2004. |
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