The Lyons community has been selected to join a statewide program aimed at boosting tourism, recreation and economic development along the Empire State Trail.
Parks & Trails New York announced Monday that Lyons and the city of Utica were chosen for the Empire State Trail Town program, joining 11 other canal communities that are working to leverage the trail to boost tourism and local economic growth.
Officials say Lyons offers trail users access to its National Register-listed downtown historic district, where canal-era landmarks, local businesses and historic architecture sit just steps from the trail.
Community partners including Active People Healthy Wayne and the Lyons Main Street Program have also invested in bike-friendly infrastructure, pedestrian improvements and business engagement efforts designed to connect trail users with the heart of the community.
Participation in the program is expected to help Lyons further promote active transportation, highlight the town’s three-canal heritage and encourage visitors traveling the trail to explore the community.
The year-long Trail Town program, funded by the New York State Canal Corporation, provides selected communities with planning support, community workshops and recommendations to strengthen connections to the trail and improve visitor experiences.
While Lyons represents a historic canal gateway along the trail, Utica becomes the largest community selected for the program to date and is expected to serve as a major hub for visitors traveling the route.
Since the completion of the Empire State Trail in 2020, trail use has grown significantly. Officials estimate the Erie Canalway Trail and Champlain Canalway Trail now see nearly 4 million visits each year, while preliminary findings from an upcoming report suggest the entire Empire State Trail system attracts more than 9 million visits annually.
Lyons Town Supervisor Jim Brady said the designation will help the community better understand how to use the trail to support future growth.
“On behalf of the Town of Lyons, we would like to thank Parks & Trails New York for the opportunity to participate in the 2026 Empire State Trail Town program,” Brady said. “We look forward to gaining a better understanding of how to leverage the trail to capitalize on more economic development opportunities and to enhance the quality of life for visitors and our residents.”
The program will conclude with a set of recommendations for each participating community outlining ways to strengthen their connections to the trail and expand tourism and recreation opportunities.
