Brockport is in the money. The Village recently received a 12-thousand-dollar grant that will used for renovations to the Empire Trail. The renovations include new signage, additional bike racks, upgrades to the visitor’s center and community outreach programs.
The NY State Empire State Trail is the longest multi-use trail network in the nation and typically attracts eight and a half million residents and tourists every year. The Empire State Trail connects New York City to Canada and Albany to Buffalo. It was completed in 2022.
In Brockport, Village officials report a huge increase in the numbers of people using the trail and waterway.
“The Canal excursions increased from 320 attendees that was all of the programs in 2023 to 495 and 2024 and that’s 65% increases from 2023 to 2024,” said Brockport Mayor Margaret Blackman.
Brockport residents Marty Rademacher and Pam Rademacher walk along the trail often. Marty Rademacher has his own ideas for how the money should be used.
“I think perhaps the walkway should be fixed a little bit better than it is right now. There are so many boats that anchor here, that that’s a big one to make sure that they’re signage and things that kind of say, ‘Hey we got these restaurants, we’ve got these coffee shops, we’ve got these bars,” said Rademacher.
One of the biggest complaints of residents have been the need to make renovations and upgrades on the trail.
“I think the walkway should be fixed a little bit better than it is right now. That is important because just because for the for the look of our community and people with strollers,” Rademacher said.
Like Rademacher, Brockport resident Josh Brown, who walks the trail frequently, believes the paths need to be upgraded.
“It would be nicer to walk down a paved path, it is easy to ride down and makes it especially easy around the business district. It also just makes it easier to get around this whole area,” Brown said.
Mayor Blackman says the Empire Trial is a vital part of the community.
“It is very important, and a lot of things feed into it. One of them is on the canals excursions which is sponsored by the New York power authority. They provide grants and funding for doing activities along the Empire State Trail. We have been very active participants,” Blackman said.
Through the Brockport Welcome Center, the Village of Brockport showcases efforts to help the community explore the Empire Trail and to allow visitors to easily pass through the town and explore and experience all they can at Brockport.
The village will utilize the grant to develop a boulevard parallel to Main Street providing a safe route to Brockport central schools and commercial districts. Also, in community events like hosting a community bike ride, one such community outreach is Walk! Bike! Brockport!
Mayor Blackman said the funds a planned to add some accessories to the trail.
“I mentioned the grant was to purchase bike racks and wayfinding or wayfaring signage on the pieces on the trailhead,” Mayor Blackman said.
Some residents believed that trail markers and more signs would help draw people into downtown Brockport.
“I wonder if there should be I don’t know exactly were, but some signage. That lets you know what’s down here. For example, just don’t stop there, go round the bend,” Pam Rademacher said.
Now that the Village of Brockport has the money, the renovations to the Empire Trail should begin soon. With this improvement it will draw in more visitors to Brockport and help residents use and explore the trail.
