The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has won top honors from the American Planning Association for its innovative, community-centered management plan. The association recognized the plan with its 2008 Daniel Burnham Award for preserving, energizing and leveraging one of the country’s most historically significant and influential canal systems. The Erie Canal was an engineering marvel when it was completed in 1825 and served as critical water transportation network that linked New England, New York and the West.

A 27-member commission, which the secretary of Interior appoints, administers the national heritage corridor. The commission has members representing the state’s two U.S. senators, congressional representatives, the governor of New York, heads of several state departments, as well as community activists within the national heritage corridor. The National Park Service provides a full-time executive director and professional staff to assist with implementing the Commission's goals of preserving the Erie Canalway Corridor's resources and enhancing educational and recreational opportunities in the corridor's communities.

Since 1916, the National Park Service has been the federal agency responsible for preserving nationally significant natural and cultural resources for present and future generations. Heritage areas and corridors are one way to help carry out this mission through partnership assistance.

Related Links:

http://www.nps.gov/erie/