As we passed through the town of Newark, NY, we noticed this striking mural under a bridge. It's part of a public park and boat dock in this small town.
In the early 1990s, many towns developed parks like this along the Erie Canal, in part to preserve history and in part to promote tourism in the region.
Last night we stayed in Baldwinsville, a much larger town than Newark. Lock 24 is right in the center of town, and we ate at a lighthouse-shaped restaurant overlooking the lock. After dinner we went for a stroll and found an elaborate "riverwalk" or linear park along the canal. The gravel trail, neatly edged in red stone, had handsome iron railings and a nice view. We were the only people on the trail.
You can read the economic story of this region in the buildings you see from the water. Clyde has a gingerbread Victorian downtown . . . but most of the storefronts are empty. The town is too far from Rochester or Syracuse to be a bedroom community for either. Meanwhile, just outside of Baldwinsville, which is striking distance to Syracuse, the canal is bordered by McMansions with elaborate boat docks for his 'n hers jet skis.
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Hi Folks,
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to read all your comments on the areas you've been through already and you've only been on the water 3 days! I have tried to comment earlier, but just found out today that I needed to set up and account on google to do it. Now you'll probably get tired of hearing from me. Enjoy and be safe. Love to you both, Aunt Mary