Old Erie Canal State Historic Park facts for kids
The Old Erie Canal State Historic Park is a cool place in New York! It's a long, narrow park that stretches for about 36 miles (58 km). This park protects a part of the original Erie Canal, which was a very important waterway in the past. The canal and its walking path, called a towpath, were used from 1825 to 1917. Today, it's a great spot for outdoor fun and learning about history. It's part of the New York State Park system.
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Fun Things to Do at the Park
The Old Erie Canal State Historic Park is perfect for many outdoor activities. The towpath, which is the path next to the canal, has been made smooth with asphalt and stone dust. This makes it great for biking, hiking, or even horseback riding. When it snows, you can also go snowmobiling!
You can also explore the canal itself. Some parts are open for canoeing or kayaking. It's a fun way to see the park from the water.
What You Can't Do
To keep everyone safe and the park in good shape, some things are not allowed. You cannot use All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) or motorcycles on the towpath. Also, there are no campsites directly inside the park. However, you can find camping nearby at Green Lakes State Park, which is very close to the Old Erie Canal State Park.
Picnic Spots
If you want to have a meal outdoors, there are several picnic areas along the route. These spots are easy to reach from nearby roads, making them perfect for a family outing.
Exploring the Park's Path
This park covers about 1,191 acres (4.82 km²) and stretches across three counties in New York: Madison, Oneida, and Onondaga counties. As you travel along the park, you'll pass by or through several towns and communities. These include Fayetteville, Manlius Center, Kirkville, Chittenango, Canastota, Durhamville, and New London.
About 5 miles (8.0 km) east of Butternut Creek, the canal path goes right by the entrance to Green Lakes State Park. The park officially ends near Rome, New York, at a place called the Erie Canal Village. This used to be a museum that showed what a canal village was like in the 1800s.
Trails That Connect
The Old Erie Canal towpath trail connects to several other cool trails. This means you can explore even more of the area!
- Butternut Creek Recreation and Nature Trail in DeWitt
- Fayetteville Feeder Towpath in Fayetteville
- Chittenango Creek Walk in Chittenango
- North Country Trail in Canastota (This trail runs alongside the Erie Canal path from Canastota to Rome)
- Oneida Rail Trail in Oneida
- Rome Canalway Towpath in Rome
Parks and Places Nearby
There are many other parks, museums, and fun places to visit near the Old Erie Canal State Historic Park. Here are some of them, listed from west to east:
- Ryder Park and Recreation Area in DeWitt
- Cedar Bay Park in DeWitt
- Canal Landing Park in Fayetteville
- Green Lakes State Park in Manlius
- Poolsbrook Picnic Area in Minoa
- Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum in Chittenango
- Duruss Conservancy in Oneida
- Verona Beach State Park in Verona
- Verona Park in Verona
- Lock 21 Park in New London, Oneida County
- Erie Canal Village in Rome
A Look at the Park's History
The Old Erie Canal has a long history. In July 2006, some parts of the canal within the park needed special repairs. Heavy rains caused a risk of a big leak in the aqueduct (a bridge that carries water) over Butternut Creek. Workers had to block off or drain parts of the canal to fix it.
In February 2010, there was a plan to close about 40 New York State parks, including the Old Erie Canal State Historic Park, because of budget cuts. Luckily, the park stayed open and is still enjoyed by many visitors today!
