economic_impact_of_the_erie_canalway_trail_full_document
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
AN ASSESSMENT AND USER PROFILE OF NEW YORK’S LONGEST MULTI-USE TRAIL
Prepared for:
Quantitative and qualitative research conducted for
Parks & Trails New York
by
Paul A. Scipione, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus and Director Survey/Research Center
Jones School of Business
State University of New York at Geneseo
This study was supported in part by funding from
New York State Canal Corporation
Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor
This report can be downloaded at Parks & Trails New York’s website
www.ptny.org
July, 2014
Acknowledgements
This 2012 study was designed and conducted and data was analyzed by the
following Research Team. Trail Count Observers were undergraduate students
of Dr. Scipione at the State University of New York at Geneseo.
Paul A. Scipione, Ph.D. Study Director and Principal Report Author
Landon Hurley Associate Director and Field Director
Nicholas Palumbo Coding Director
Jack Samuels, Ed.D. Study Consultant
Leigh C. Scipione Proofreader & Stat Checker
Parks & Trails New York:
Frances Gotcsik Director of Programs and Policy and
Report Project Manager
Andrew Pollak-Bruce Project Coordinator
Trail Count Observers:
Christopher Bond Meara Bowe
Chelsea Butkowski Kyleigh Carpenter
Tyler Chauncy Jessica daSilva
Lindsay Gall Tanner Guild
Thomas Infantino Samantha Legere
Shelby Leonard Emily Lockard
Marianne Macaluso Aleah Marcaitis
Rebecca Masse Molly McLoughlin
Haider Murtaza Hamza Murtaza
Joelle Orecki Nicholas Palumbo
Elizabeth Reck Caroline Schwartz
Chris Scipione Katherine Tuskes
Aaron Wagner Rachel Walker
Edward Watt Anna Wilson
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................................................................... 1
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................ 9
BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................................................................................. 9
PURPOSES OF THE STUDY ............................................................................................................................................................. 10
CHAPTER 2: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY & STUDY DESIGN ................................................................................................ 13
OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................................................................ 13
DATA COLLECTION TEAM AND PROCESS ......................................................................................................................................... 15
OBSERVATIONAL AND ELECTRONIC TRAIL COUNTS ............................................................................................................................ 15
ANNUAL TRAIL TRAFFIC VOLUME .................................................................................................................................................. 16
TRAIL USER SURVEYS .................................................................................................................................................................. 17
USER SPENDING PROFILES ........................................................................................................................................................... 18
ANNUAL ECONOMIC IMPACTS ...................................................................................................................................................... 18
BUSINESS OWNER SURVEY ........................................................................................................................................................... 19
TOURISM OFFICIAL SURVEY .......................................................................................................................................................... 20
CHAPTER 3: FINDINGS AND RESULTS ................................................................................................................................. 21
ESTIMATED ANNUAL TRAIL TRAFFIC VOLUME .................................................................................................................................. 21
SPENDING ................................................................................................................................................................................ 22
ESTIMATED ANNUAL ECONOMIC IMPACT ........................................................................................................................................ 25
IMPACT OF ZONE TWO RESIDENTS................................................................................................................................................. 27
CONSIDERATIONS FOR FUTURE STUDY ............................................................................................................................................ 28
COMPARISONS TO OTHER TRAIL STUDIES ........................................................................................................................................ 30
CHAPTER 4: TRAIL USER SURVEY RESULTS ......................................................................................................................... 33
INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................................................... 33
DEMOGRAPHICS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 34
INTERESTS ................................................................................................................................................................................ 41
NATURE OF TRAIL USE ................................................................................................................................................................ 48
ERIE CANALWAY TRAIL VACATIONERS ............................................................................................................................................ 60
DEMOGRAPHICS OF ECT VACATIONERS .......................................................................................................................................... 62
NATURE OF TRAIL USE BY ECT VACATIONERS .................................................................................................................................. 68
OVERNIGHT VACATIONERS ........................................................................................................................................................... 74
DEMOGRAPHICS OF OVERNIGHT ECT VACATIONERS ......................................................................................................................... 75
NATURE OF OVERNIGHT VACATIONING TRAIL USE ............................................................................................................................ 75
CHAPTER 5: INTERVIEWS WITH OWNERS OF LOCAL BUSINESSES IN ECT COMMUNITIES ................................................... 79
IMPACT OF ECT USERS ............................................................................................................................................................... 80
LIKELIHOOD OF HIRING ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES .............................................................................................................................. 80
EFFECTIVENESS OF PTNY’S ECT PROMOTION EFFORTS ..................................................................................................................... 80
KNOWLEDGE OF THE ECT ............................................................................................................................................................ 81
AVAILABILITY OF SHIPPING SERVICES .............................................................................................................................................. 81
GENERAL FEEDBACK ................................................................................................................................................................... 81
CHAPTER 6: INTERVIEWS WITH LOCAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM OFFICIALS ......................................................................... 83
CHAPTER 7: ENDNOTES...................................................................................................................................................... 85
APPENDIX A: ERIE CANALWAY TRAIL SEGMENTS AND COUNT LOCATIONS ....................................................................... 87
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
APPENDIX B: TRAIL USER COUNT PROTOCOL AND COUNTING FORM ................................................................................ 93
APPENDIX C: TRAIL USER SURVEY ...................................................................................................................................... 95
APPENDIX D: BUSINESS OWNERS SURVEY ....................................................................................................................... 113
APPENDIX E: VERBATIM COMMENTS OF LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS ALONG THE ERIE CANALWAY TRAIL ....................... 119
APPENDIX F: VERBATIM COMMENTS OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM OFFICIALS .................................................................... 133
APPENDIX G: BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................................................................................................................... 135
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
When constructed in 1825 between
Buffalo and Albany, the Erie Canal
cost less than $7 million and created
thousands of jobs. Nearly two
centuries later, the canal still plays a
significant role in the economy and
way of life of Upstate New York. Not
only does it serve as a commercial
and recreational waterway but much
of the towpath of the legendary
canal has been transformed into the
360-mile Erie Canalway Trail (ECT).
Presently, the ECT is more than
75% complete; 277 miles are open
as an off-road multi-use trail. Most of
the trail is 10 feet wide with a stone dust surface, but some sections are paved, especially near
urban centers. The ECT offers New Yorkers a myriad of outdoor recreational opportunities and
health, economic, and quality of life benefits. In addition to providing a venue for a wide variety
of recreational activities—walking, jogging, bicycling, bird watching, pet walking, cross-country
skiing and, in some locations, snowmobiling and rollerblading—the ECT offers picnic areas and
opportunities to eat, stay, shop, and visit attractions in the historic towns and villages along its
length.
Parks & Trails New York (PTNY), the state’s leading not-for-profit park and trail advocacy
organization, has worked with the New York State Canal Corporation and the Erie Canalway
National Heritage Corridor for more than 15 years to develop and promote the Canalway Trail
System. In conjunction with its efforts, PTNY gath ered anecdotal evidence from business
owners, tourism promotion agencies, elected officials, and trail users to suggest that the ECT
provides trail communities with significant economic benefits. However, without a
comprehensive study, only limited estimates of ECT visitation and economic impact existed.
Therefore, PTNY commissioned this study to provide reliable estimates of the numbers of
persons who use the ECT; measurements of the total economic impact of the ECT on the
economy of NYS; information on spending, usage patterns, and demographics of trail users; and
a template for measuring the impacts of future use. Business owners and tourism officials were
also surveyed to provide an added dimension to the assessment of economic impacts.
Study results were based on trail counts obtained using observational and electronic techniques.
Data was also acquired from intercept surveys of trail users, conducted at multiple locations
along the trail between June and September 2012. The counts were used to extrapola te an
estimate of total annual trail traffic volume. Trail user surveys provided data to create user
spending profiles. By employing these two data points (annual trail traffic volume and spending
2
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
profiles), the Money Generation Model 2 (MGM2) was used to project the annual economic
impact of trail users in terms of sales, employment, and tax revenues.
Economic Impact
Overall (including direct and secondary effects), ECT visitor spending generates
approximately $253 million in sales, 3,440 jobs, $78 million in labor income, and $28.5
million in taxes in the Upstate economy each year.
The most conservative estimate of new money would be only the spending associated with the
2.5% of estimated annual trail visits made by persons residing outside the 35 counties
surrounding the ECT. This represents approximately $55.8 million in new sales effects, the
creation of approximately 731 jobs, and $16.7 million in labor income within the local economy.
Visits
The ECT is estimated to have an annual trail traffic volume of almost 1.6 million visits per
year. Not surprisingly, the segments of trail closest to the large urban population centers of
Buffalo, Rochester and Albany were estimated to have the highest number of visits – more than
200,000 per year.
Spending
Average per person per visit spending depends on where ECT visitors live and whether they
stay overnight. Locals (defined in the study as those residing in the 35 counties surrounding the
ECT) who do not include an
overnight stay in their visit spend on
average $26.37 per person per visit.
Restaurant and bar expenses
account for almost half of that
spending. If these persons choose to
engage in a visit to a segment of the
trail distant from their homes and
include at least one overnight stay in
their visit, the average spending
increases to $531.47 per person per
visit, which represents 39% for
lodging or camping fees and 30% for
bars and restaurants.
The average per person per visit
spending for nonlocals (defined in
the study as those who reside
outside the 35 counties surrounding
3
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
4
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
the ECT) who include one or more
overnight stays in their visit, is more
than double that of those living in the
35 counties surrounding the ECT
who stay overnight as part of their
visit, $1,128.39. Almost half (47%)
of that spending is for lodging or
camping fees and 26% for bars and
restaurants.
The data confirms that overnight
stays have a major impact on ECT
visitor spending. While overnight
visitors to the trail constitute only
18.25% of the total volume of visits,
they generate 84% of overall
spending. Even more dramatic is
the finding that the 2.5% of trail visitors who live outside the 35 counties surrounding the ECT
represent 21% of overall spending.
Trail Users
To learn more about trail user demographics, lifestyle preferences, nature of ECT use, and trail-
related spending habits, survey responses were obtained from 562 adults that included trail
users intercepted on the trail and those who had purchased PTNY’s cycling guide book and had
used the trail within the last year.
Typical Users of the ECT
Typical users of the ECT are employed members of Generation X (ages 30-49) who are slightly
more likely to be male than female and who live within five miles of the trail. They have at least
a college degree and a household income equal to or slightly above the state’s 2012 median
household income of $57,683. Typical trail users drive to the trailhead to bicycle for health and
fitness for less than an hour at least once a week, on weekdays and weekends, in the summer,
spring and/or fall, along with one to three other persons. They spend on average $26.37 per
person per visit.
Typical trail users are interested in the history of the canal and credit the trail for having a positive
effect on their well-being. While they have not taken an overnight trip of more than 50 miles on
the trail or participated in an organized ECT ride, they may be interested in doing so. If they did
plan to stay overnight as part of a visit to the trail, they would prefer to stay in a hotel or motel.
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Typical ECT Vacationers
Only 22% of those surveyed on the
ECT indicated they were
vacationing. Yet, because most of
these vacationers stay overnight,
they have a major economic impact.
Typical trail vacationers are affluent,
highly educated, employed Baby
Boomers who live outside the ECT
region and visit the trail to bicycle
with one to three others for more
than two hours. Almost 70% are
male. The trail and the opportunity
to bicycle and view the scenery
attract them to the area.
Typical ECT vacationers spend on average $939 per person per visit and stay at least th ree
nights in a hotel or motel. ECT vacationers are interested in the history of the canal and
participating in multi-day organized bicycling trips along the trail. They first learned about the
ECT from conversations with others.
Interest in Biking Along a 50+ mile Section of ECT or an
Organized Multi-day ECT Cycling Trip
The survey illustrated the potential for developing more multi -day or themed itineraries and
organized multi-day ECT cycling trips. More than two-thirds of survey respondents reported they
were very (41%) or somewhat (28%) interested in biking along a 50+-mile section of the ECT.
Nearly half of survey respondents (42%) said they had not been on an organized cycling trip on
the ECT, but were interested in taking one. Among the 20% surveyed who had participated in
such a trip, nearly all (19%) said they hoped to take another trip in the future. More than half
(59%) of those who said they would be interested in an organized cycling trip on the ECT have
a household income less than $75,000 per year, half are of Generation X and almost half are
under 40 years of age. As 89% of these persons are residents of the ECT and surrounding
counties, it signals an important, but mostly untapped, local market.
Impact on ECT-area Businesses
When businesses located no more than one mile from the trail were asked to assess their current
and future plans and experiences, more than half (51%) said the trail had a moderate (30%) to
big impact (21%). A majority of businesses felt that efforts to promote the ECT, u ndertaken by
several state agencies, Chambers of Commerce and local tourism offices, local business
owners, and PTNY, were effective (6% very and 53% somewhat effective).
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
8
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Business owners’ responses also
indicated a need for additional
communication and ECT promotion
as 42% said that they knew "a few
things" about the trail before the
interview, compared to 29% who
said they knew a lot. In terms of
commitment to ECT promotion, 85%
said they were very or somewhat
interested in working closer with
state, local and county agencies and
Chambers of Commerce to promote
the ECT.
Conclusion
By supporting more than 3,400 jobs and generating $253 million in sales, the ECT is clearly an
important resource for the local and regional economies of Upstate New York and should
continue to be promoted and enhanced.
As 97% of the visits to the ECT are undertaken by persons living within the 35 counties
surrounding the ECT, the study confirms the trail is also a valued resource and an important
contributor to quality of life in the more than 200 communities along its length. The small number
of visitors from outside the region illustrates a major opportunity to market the ECT as a premier
bicycling destination to a national and international audience. Other long-distance trails with
considerably less name recognition, such as the Katy Trail in Missouri and Great Allegheny
Passage in Pennsylvania, attract a greater percentage of nonlocal visitors than the ECT. The
study presents information on trail user demographics, preferences, and nature of trail use which
can serve to inform these marketing efforts.
Overnight visitors to the ECT spend more than 20 times that of day visitors, so increasing the
number of this type of visitor could generate significant economic benefits for ECT communities.
Suggested or themed itineraries, package trips planned by a group of lodging establishments,
fully supported rides, additional marketing targeted directly to cycling tourists, and a “cyclists
welcome” program may increase the number of persons who include an overnight stay in their
trail visit. As ECT users interviewed for the study said they are attracted by the beauty of the
landscape, history of the canal, and the proximity of numerous related historic communities and
sites, these aspects of the ECT should receive special emphasis in marketing efforts.
It is hoped that the results of this study will not only inform marketing messages and confirm the
ECT as an important contributor to New York’s economy but also instill government, business
and tourism officials with the confidence to invest in additional ECT marketing, promotion,
economic development, and trail enhancement efforts.
9
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Background
New York State, and the entire United States of America, may never have become what it is
today if Governor DeWitt Clinton (1769-1828) had not persisted in building a 363-mile canal that
connected Buffalo and the Great Lakes with the Hudson River, New York City and the Atlantic
Ocean. Skeptics called the Erie Canal "Clinton's Folly" when it was completed in 1825.
The canal cost less than $7 million to build (about $125 million in 2012 dollars) and created
thousands of jobs. In addition to cutting the cost of transporting goods in both directions by 95%,
the Erie Canal also spawned the construction of eight shorter connector canals: Cayuga -Seneca
Canal; Oswego Canal; Champlain Canal; Crooked Lake Canal; Chemung Canal; Chenango
Canal; Black River Canal; and Genesee Valley Canal. New Yorkers made hundreds of dollars
for every dollar invested in the Erie Canal. Nearly two centuries later, the canal still plays
significant roles, in addition to transportation, by providing a myriad of outdoor recreational
opportunities and health and economic benefits that afford New Yorkers a positive quality of life.
As early as the 1960s, some canal communities that had lost most of their commercial canal
traffic were seeking new ways to benefit from the canal and began building local trails on
remnants of the old towpath. The first public expression of the Canalway Trail concept came
with the release of the NYS Canal Recreation Development Plan in the early 1970s. Soon
thereafter, the NYS Office of Parks and
Recreation, today the Office of Parks, Recreation
and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), and the NYS
Department of Transportation entered into a
formal agreement to jointly develop the 524-mile
canal system, encompassing the Erie, Cayuga-
Seneca, Oswego, and Champlain Canals, for
recreational purposes. Many sections of the
Canalway Trail were constructed during the next
two decades.
In 1992, the NYS Legislature transferred
responsibility for the Canal System to the NYS
Thruway Authority and its subsidiary the NYS
Canal Corporation and created the NYS Canal
Recreationway Commission to advise the
Thruway and NYS Canal Corporation on canal-
related activities. In 1995 and 1996, respectively,
the NYS Canal Corporation adopted the Canal
Recreationway Plan and the NYS Canal
Revitalization Plan to guide development of the
Canal into a recreation system. Among the major
recommendations made in the NYS Canal
10
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Recreationway Plan was the completion of an end -to-end Canalway Trail along the canal
system. In 2000, the U.S. Congress recognized the national significance of New York’s canal
system by establishing the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor which includes the Erie, as
well as the Cayuga-Seneca, Oswego, and Champlain Canals and their historic alignments.
Since 1995, when the Canal Corporation assumed responsibility for the Canalway Trail and
began implementing the Canal Recreationway Plan, more than 150 miles of Erie Canalway Trail
(ECT) have been built. Ownership, maintenance and management of the ECT are split with the
NYS Canal Corporation, NYS OPRHP, and counties and local municipalities each owning about
one-third of the trail corridor.
Presently, the ECT is more than 75% complete – 277 miles are open between Buffalo and
Albany. Most of the trail is 10 feet wide with a stone dust surface, but some sections are paved,
especially near urban centers. In addition to providing a venue for a wide variety of recreational
activities – walking, jogging, bicycling, bird watching, pet walking, cross-country skiing and, in
some locations, snowmobiling and roller blading – the ECT also offers family picnic areas and
opportunities to eat, stay, shop, and visit attractions in the historic towns and villages along its
length.
Approximately 83 miles of the ECT have not yet been built, requiring users to divert to nearby
roads for short or long stretches. Additional picnic areas, parking lots, rest rooms, camping areas
and signage are also still needed along the corridor. Beyond the Erie Canalway Corridor, trails
along the lateral Cayuga-Seneca, Oswego, and Champlain canals also need to be completed to
create a more than 500-mile Canalway Trail System stretching across 32 counties of New York
State.
Purposes of the Study
Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) is the state’s leading not-for-profit park and trail advocacy
organization, working since 1985 to expand, protect and promote a network of parks, trails and
open space throughout New York State. PTNY actively promotes the Canalway Trail through its
annual Cycling the Erie Canal bike tour, popular Cycling the Erie Canal guidebook, and online
11
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
interactive map. PTNY’s Close the Gaps campaign, undertaken in conjunction with U.S. Senator
Kirsten Gillibrand and the Canalway Trails Association New York (CTANY), works with local and
state officials to advocate for completing the remaining sections of the Canalway Trail as a
continuous off-road trail so it can realize its full potential as a world-class tourism destination and
offer maximum benefit to the more than 200 communities along its length.
PTNY also works with local business owners and elected officials to attract and meet the needs
of bicycle tourists through its Bicyclists Bring Business workshops and handbook. In conjunction
with the NYS Canal Corporation, PTNY publishes Canalway Trail Times and organizes the
Canalway Trail Adopt-a-Trail and Trail Ambassador programs and the annual Canalway Trail
User Count and Canal Clean Sweep.
As a result of its long-standing relationships with ECT business owners, tourist promotion
agencies, elected officials, and trail users, PTNY has gathered much anecdotal evidence to
suggest that the Erie Canalway Trail provides trail communities with significant economic
benefits. However, only limited estimates of ECT visitation and economic impact exist, based on
PTNY’s annual trail counts conducted at discrete locations and a 2007 study of the economic
impact of New York State Canal tourism prepared for the Canal Corporation by Eric Mower and
Associates, which relied on older average spending data from much different trail environments.
Since funding allocations and development decisions for the Canalway Trail will increasingly be
based on a demonstrated ability to create jobs and generate a positive economic impact, it is
crucial that local and state decision makers fully understand the direct impact of expenditures
made by those who cycle, walk and jog the trail, as well as the indirect and induced effects that
their spending generates. To best capture that potential spending, it is also necessary to learn
more about the demographics and desires and motivations of ECT visitors to help inform future
business development decisions and marketing and tourism promotion efforts.
PTNY commissioned this study for three primary purposes:
1. Provide reliable estimates of the numbers of persons who use the ECT, by section of the
trail and by types of activities;
2. Provide valid measurements of the total economic impact of the ECT on the overall
economy of NYS; and
3. Provide a benchmark against which to take statistical “snapshots” in subsequent years
as well as a template for measuring the impacts of future marketing, promotion, and trail
development.
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
CHAPTER 2: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY &
STUDY DESIGN
Overview
In order to complete the economic study of the Erie Canalway Trail, trail counts were conducted
using both observational and electronic techniques. These trail counts were then extrapolated
to estimate the total annual trail traffic volume at each count location and for the entire ECT. Trail
user surveys were also conducted and analyzed to create user spending profiles. By employing
these two data points (annual trail traffic volume and spending profiles), the Money Generation
Model 2 (MGM2) was used to project the economic impact of the trail users in terms of sales,
employment, and tax revenues.1 Business owners and tourism officials were also surveyed to
provide an added dimension to the assessment of economic impacts.
The study design included the following steps:
Step 1: Conduct observational and electronic trail counts
Step 2: Estimate annual trail traffic volume
Step 3: Survey trail users
Step 4: Analyze trail user surveys to create user spending profiles
Step 5: Estimate annual economic impacts
Step 6: Survey business owners
Step 7: Survey tourism officials
The relationships between each step are demonstrated in Figure 1.
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Figure 1: Study Design Flowchart
15
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Data Collection Team and Process
Twenty-eight SUNY Geneseo students, each of who resided in a community along the ECT,
were recruited to conduct trail counts as well as administer the trail user and business owner
surveys. At a training session held in April 2012, the students received in struction on how to
conduct the surveys and the trail user counts.
The SUNY Geneseo students began their work in late June 2012 and continued through the
middle of September 2012, since these are the months of traditional peak trail use. Each session
of trail counts and personal observations of trail uses lasted for two hours.
Observational and Electronic Trail Counts
The 360-mile ECT was divided into 13 geographic sections of roughly equal length. Counts were
conducted within 11 of the 13 segments. See Appendix A for a description of segments and the
chosen count locations within each segment.
The students conducted almost 400 hours of direct trail observations at diverse times of day,
weather conditions, and days of the week. Data collection forms previously developed by PTNY
were used to capture both count data and information on types of trail usage – such as walking,
bicycling, roller blading, etc. and frequency of helmet use for cyclists. See Appendix B for a copy
of the data collection form.
At five high-traffic points, the
research team also installed an
automatic trail counter (Eco-
Counter) provided by PTNY. The
Eco-Counter uses passive infrared
pyro-electric technology to detect a
change in temperature when a
person passes in the range of the
sensor.
The automatic counter remained at
each location for at least one week.
Observational counts were also
conducted at two locations where
the automatic counters were placed,
Niawanda Park in the City of
Tonawanda and the Nine Mile Creek
Aqueduct in Camillus.
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Annual Trail Traffic Volume
In order to extrapolate the observational and electronic trail counts into estimates of total annual
trail traffic, data from the both the two-hour trail counts and the trail counter were entered into
the Lindsey 2 Model.2 The Lindsey 2 Model was originally developed by Dr. Greg Lindsey while
at Indiana University. After years of data collection, Lindsey and his associates established
rigorous correlational patterns, which have been developed into a guideline to accu rately
extrapolate an annual estimate of total trail traffic volume. Other models for estimating annual
trail usage, such as the one developed by the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation
Project (NBPD) were considered, but the Lindsey 2 Model was selected because it is well-
documented, peer reviewed, and provided the most conservative estimates.3
The Lindsey 2 Model was further customized to fit the trail usage patterns of Upstate New York.
An ECT-specific peak hour ratio (pkhr), defined as the percentage of traffic that the single highest
hour encompasses within the context of a single day, was calculated using data from three of
the automatic trail counters. The counters provided a breakdown of trail usage across three
separate locations on an hour-to-hour basis during the month of July 2012, the month for which
complete counter data was available. This peak hour ratio was then used in the equation found
in Figure 2 to estimate monthly trail traffic volumes.
Counts, obtained by SUNY Geneseo student observers at multiple trail locations and from
automatic counters located at Niawanda Park in Tonawanda and at Bushnell’s Basin in Perinton ,
were used to compute the average weekday hourly traffic volume (avg1). This was then divided
by the peak hour ratio (pkhr) to calculate the daily weekday average trail traffic. To simulate the
total weekday traffic expected within a typical 30-day month, the daily weekday average trail
traffic was multiplied by 22.
The total weekend traffic expected within the mon th was computed using the corresponding
number of weekend days within the month, multiplied by the weekday average trail traffic and
the ratio of median weekend day to media n weekday traffic. The median weekday to weekend
traffic ratio was derived from the human trail observations. The total weekend and weekday trail
traffic volumes were then summed to yield a monthly total.
Figure 2: Monthly Trail Traffic Volume Equation4
At three locations (Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct in Camillus, Lions Park in Niskayuna, and the
Corning Preserve in Albany) monthly trail traffic volumes were derived from the automatic
counter data. At these locations, counter data for an entire week period wa s multiplied by 4.3 to
obtain a monthly total.5
The Lindsey 2 Model utilizes coefficients, based on observations of the numbers of trail users in
each month, to extrapolate a single monthly estimate into annual trail traffic volume. Because of
relatively similar seasonal conditions, it was assumed that traffic along the ECT throughout the
822
wd
we
hour
1
hour
1
med
med
pk
avg+pk
avg=month
17
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
year experiences monthly trail traffic ratios similar to that discovered by Lindsey in Indiana .6
Thus, the mean monthly ratios developed by Lindsey et al. (2007) were used to estimate trail
traffic volume for each month of the year. These monthly estimates were summed to obtain an
estimate of annual traffic volume for each count location.7
In most instances, the annual estimates are based on counts from only one location within a
segment. For three segments (Rochester to Newark, Oriskany to Herkimer, and Mohawk to
Canajoharie), they represent an average of annual estimates from multiple sampling locations.
The estimates for each segment were totalled to arrive at an estim ate of annual trail traffic
volume for the entire ECT. While summing the estimates from each section may register a long-
distance trail user more than once, the impact is most likely negligible because 82% of all trail
users are day visitors (i.e. they typically visit the trail for one single day of activity at a time). In
addition, 80% of all survey respondents, including many overnight visitors, indicated they spend
two hours or less on the trail during a typical visit, and most counters were located at l east 10
miles apart. (A two-hour round trip to the trail would likely represent about 10 miles one -way on
a bike and less distance if walking or jogging.)
Trail User Surveys
In consultation with PTNY, a trail user survey was developed to cover spending, usage patterns,
and demographics within a comfortable 10-minute (or less) timeframe (see Appendix C). The
survey was then pre-tested on a small number of ECT trail users. Once the survey was
approved, an online version was developed using Lime Survey Tool software on a secure server
at SUNY Geneseo.
The trail user survey was conducted concurrently with the two -hour trail counts during the June
through September 2012 timeframe. Surveyors randomly selected trail users to participate in the
survey. Respondents were given the
choice of either completing their
interview on the student laptop along the
ECT or later online. Everyone received a
one-page flier that provided instructions
on how to complete the questionnaire
online.
By the end of September 2012, 444
complete, usable surveys resulting from
user intercepts on the trail were received.
To round out the sample, the survey of
intercepted trail users was
supplemented with additional trail user
surveys that were distributed to
individuals who had purchased PTNY’s
Cycling the Erie Canal guidebook and
18
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
who indicated they had visited the ECT within the last year. These separate user responses from
guidebook purchasers constituted another 118 survey records, increasing the total sample size
to 562 complete, usable survey records. This sample size is large enough to provide the target
confidence level of 95%.8
In order to ensure statistically rigorous estimates of the spending of trail users, an analysis of
covariance (ANCOVA), which controlled for zone, was performed on the two samples
(intercepted trail users and guidebook purchasers). The ANCOVA test confirmed there are no
statistically significant differences between the two samples. Thus it can be concluded that the
two samples are from the same population, and thus can be pooled to compute the spending
profiles used in the MGM2 model. While guidebook purchaser responses were used to compute
spending profiles, the percentage of users by zone was calculated using only trail intercepted
surveys to ensure accuracy of the results.
User Spending Profiles
Spending questions from the MGM2 model were incorporated into the trail user survey
administered by SUNY Geneseo students. The MGM2 model frames questions in reference to
the most recent visit and requests that the user fill out how much was spent on accommodations,
restaurants, transportation, souvenirs, tourism venues, and several other categories. The survey
also included separate questions designed by the SUNY Geneseo researchers that asked for a
more holistic estimate of how much, on average, the interviewee spent on each of the different
kinds of activities they engaged in along the trail. The spending data was segregated by zone of
residence of the person surveyed and whether the individual was a day or overnight visitor to
the trail. The zones were defined as follows:
Zone One: Respondents reside within one of the 14 counties through which the ECT
passes or within one of the 21 counties adjacent to the 14 ECT counties9
Zone Two: Respondents from all other (more distant) locations, within New York State
and in 20 other states and the District of Columbia.
Overnight visitor status was defined as someone who either reported they were vacationing
away from their home or reported spending on lodging as part of the visit. Responses to the
question “How many nights did you, or do you plan to, stay away from home?” were also
considered in identifying overnight visitors.
Annual Economic Impacts
Using the annual trail traffic volume and spending profiles generated through on the ground data
collection, the Money Generation Model 2 (MGM2) was used to project the economic impact of
19
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
the trail users, in terms of sales,
employment and tax revenues.10
The MGM2 model is a set of
Microsoft Excel workbooks for
estimating the economic impacts of
visitor spending on a local region.
The model was originally developed
by Ken Hornback and refined by
Daniel Stynes and Dennis Propst at
Michigan State University to
produce quantifiable measures of
economic benefits that can be used
for planning, concessions
management, budget justifications,
policy analysis and marketing at
National Parks. Since its
development, the MGM2 model has been adapted for use on a wide range of economic impact
studies for recreational resources other than National Parks such as Missouri’s Katy Trail,
another primarily rural multi-use, long distance trail.
The MGM2 model is also designed to use data collected at National Park entrances to compute
visitation, but this was inapplicable to the present study. As outlined under Annual Trail Traffic
Volume above, total ECT trail volume was computed using the Lindsey2 Model.
The annual trail traffic volume figures and the spending profiles derived from the trail user
surveys were input into the MGM2 model to estimate both direct and secondary effects. Direct
effects represent the jobs, income, taxes, and sales in the businesses that receive money directly
from trail users such as motels, restaurants, attractions, retail stores. Secondary effects,
including both indirect and induced effects, represent the jobs, income, taxes, and sales resulting
from tourism businesses buying goods and services from other industries in the region as well
as households re-spending income earned from trail user spending.
The MGM2 model was adapted to the ECT environment by using an average local tax rate for
the 14 ECT counties as well as the smaller cities MGM2 model generic multiplier to estimate
secondary effects. The smaller cities category (50,000 -100,000 population) was chosen as it
was believed to most conservatively represent the ECT’s combination of rural and urban
environments.11
Business Owner Survey
A questionnaire was designed for use in interviewing the owners of local businesses along the
ECT (see Appendix D). The objective of this parallel survey was to learn more about the impacts
of ECT traffic and spending on revenues and jobs generated in local businesses between Buffalo
and Albany. Surveyors were instructed to visit local businesses no more than one mile from the
trail and solicit the business owners' feedback. A rough guide of business types was provided to
20
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
the surveyors, however the selection was intentionally left open in order to preclude the
possibility of missing important business concerns that the surveyors could identify in the field .
Business owners also had the option of either being interviewed by SUNY Geneseo students or
completing the survey online at a more convenient time. Completed interviews were obtained
from 53 of the more than 100 local business owners visited and represented a wider range of
business types than originally anticipated.
Tourism Official Survey
Telephone interviews were conducted with six county and local travel and tourism officials
representing several of the 14 counties through which the ECT passes. The objective was to
obtain another qualitative perspective of the nature of impacts attributed to the current marketing
of the ECT and Erie Canal and, more generally, the number of trail users and how much money
they spend locally while they use the trail.
21
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
CHAPTER 3: FINDINGS AND RESULTS
Estimated Annual Trail Traffic Volume
The Erie Canalway Trail is estimated to have an annual trail traffic volume of more than
1.58 million persons. Not surprisingly the segments of the trail closest to the large population
centers of Buffalo, Rochester and Albany (segments 1, 4 and 13, respec tively) account for the
most trail traffic volume, while the more rural segments of the trail receive less use. Annual trail
traffic volume for each segment and the ECT as a whole is provided in Table 1.
Table 1: Estimated Annual Trail Traffic Volume by Segment
Trail Segment Trail Count Locations Estimated Annual
Trail Traffic Volume
1 - Buffalo waterfront to
Pendleton Niawanda Park, City of Tonawanda, Erie County 359,177
2 - Lockport to Albion Widewaters, City of Lockport, Niagara County 46,674
3 - Albion to Rochester
west of the Genesee River Henpeck Park, Town of Greece, Monroe County 83,954
4 - Rochester east of the
Genesee River to Newark
Lock 33, Town of Brighton, Monroe County
Schoen Place, Village of Pittsford, Monroe County
Perinton Park, Village of Fairport, Monroe County
Bushnell’s Basin, Town of Perinton, Monroe County
Whitbeck Road, Town of Arcadia, Wayne County
220,984
5 - Port Byron to Camillus Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct, Town of Camillus, Onondaga County 134,089
6 - DeWitt to Oneida Cedar Bay Park, Town of Dewitt, Onondaga County 66,260
7 - Oneida to Oriskany * 42,882
8 - Oriskany to Utica Lock 20 Park, Town of Marcy, Oneida County
East side of Genesee Street, City of Utica, Oneida County 52,744
9 - Mohawk to
Canajoharie
Village of Fort Plain, Montgomery County
Village of Canajoharie, Montgomery County 68,983
10 - Canajoharie to
Amsterdam * 42,882
11 - Amsterdam to
Schenectady
Schenectady Community College, City of Schenectady,
Schenectady County 42,882
12 – Schenectady to
Cohoes Lions Park, Town of Niskayuna, Schenectady County 178,042
13 – Cohoes to Albany Corning Preserve, City of Albany, Albany County 240,782
Total Trail Visits: 1,580,335
* The lowest actual trail traffic volume estimate, obtained at Schenectady Community College, was applied to the trail sections for which
observational or automatic counter data could not be obtained
22
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Spending
Survey results translate to an estimated $210.6 million spent by ECT visitors each year.
As shown in Table 2, average spending per visit on the ECT is a function of the distance of the
visitor’s residence from the trail and whether the individual is a day or overnight visitor. For this
reason, spending profiles were created for day and overnight visitors and two zones determined
by the visitor’s place of residence: within the 14 ECT or 21 adjacent counties (Zone One) or
outside these 35 counties (Zone Two). As the spending questions in the survey asked
respondents to describe their “total expenditures within one typical visit to the trail,” for the
purposes of this analysis these expenditures are assumed to describe the spending per person
per visit, which may include a single or multiple days.
23
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
As Table 2 demonstrates, Zone
One day users spend $26.37 per
person per visit on average, Zone
One overnight users spend $531.47
per person per visit on average and
Zone Two overnight users spend on
average $1,128.39 per person per
visit. The amount of visitation from
each user type (81.75% from Zone
One day users, 15.77% from Zone
One overnight users and 2.48%
from Zone Two users) results in a
weighted average of $133.31 of
spending per person/visit.
As shown in Table 3, trail users who
included an overnight stay in their trail visit constitute 18.25% of the total volume of visits to the
trail. However, their impact is significant as those visits represent 84% of the overall spending.
While it may initially seem surprising that Zone One overnight users represent almost 16% of all
trail visits, Zone One encompasses 35 of New York’s 62 counties so som e residents of Zone
One could live 50 miles or more from the section of trail closest to their home. In addition, these
results may represent Zone One residents who live very close to the trail but, when interviewed,
were visiting a more distant section of trail that required a stay overnight.
A focus on increasing the number of overnight visitors to the ECT could generate significant
economic benefits for ECT communities as they spend more than twenty times that of day
visitors. Suggested or themed itineraries, package trips planned by a group of lodging
establishments, fully supported rides, additional marketing targeted directly to cycling tourists,
and a cyclists welcome designation may increase the number of out of town visitors and entice
those who live within ECT and adjacent counties to in clude an overnight stay in their trail visit.
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Table 2: Spending Profiles per Visit per Person by Zone
Visit Type
Motel,
hotel,
cabin
or B&B
Camp
fees
Restaurant
& bars
Grocery
take-out
food/
drinks
Gas &
oil
Other
vehicle
expense
Local
transp-
ortation
Admissions
& fees Clothing
Sporting
goods
Gam-
bling
Souvenirs
and other
expenses
Total
Spend
Zone 1 Day $0.00 $0.00 $12.44 $3.25 $4.10 $0.47 $0.12 $0.31 $4.15 $0.95 $0.00 $0.58 $26.37
Zone 1
Overnight $177.50 $29.13 $160.47 $37.81 $41.56 $10.94 $1.25 $11.88 $25.63 $14.06 $0.00 $21.25 $531.47
Zone 2
Overnight $480.86 $54.58 $297.97 $94.77 $70.23 $8.91 $11.64 $20.00 $20.23 $22.80 $3.13 $43.28 $1,128.39
Total Weighted Average Spending
Total
Weighted
Average
Spending $39.90 $5.94 $42.85 $10.97 $11.64 $2.33 $0.58 $2.62 $7.94 $3.56 $0.08 $4.90 $133.31
Table 3: Spending and Visits by Segment
Zone
Number of
Trail Visits
Percent of
Trail Visits
Direct
Spending ($)
Percent of
Spending
Zone One Day 1,292,031 81.75% $34,063,632 16%
Zone One Overnight 249,152 15.77% $132,388,646 63%
Zone Two Overnight 39,152 2.48% $44,169,698 21%
TOTAL 1,580,335 100% $210,621,976 100%
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
Zone One Day Zone One Overnight Zone Two Overnight
Percent of Trail Visits and Spending by Zone
Percent of Trail Visits Percent of Spending
25
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Estimated Annual Economic Impact
Overall (including direct and secondary effects), ECT visitor spending generates
approximately $253 million in sales, 3,440 jobs, $78 million in labor income and $28.5 million
in taxes in the local economy each year. For the purpose of this study, the local economy,
as defined by the MGM models, includes the 14 counties where the ECT is located and
the surrounding counties where visitors stay o vernight and spend their money.
Table 4 below demonstrates the economic impacts of ECT user spending, including d irect and
secondary effects to sales, jobs, and labor income.
Table 4: Economic Impacts of Trail Visitor Spending; Direct and Secondary Effects
Sector/Spending Category Sales Jobs Labor
Income
Direct Effects
Motel, hotel cabin or B&B $63,051,000 743 $15,437,000
Camping fees $9,393,000 122 $2,896,000
Restaurants & bars $67,720,000 1,309 $21,961,000
Admissions & fees $4,145,000 88 $1,166,000
Gambling $122,000 3 $34,000
Other vehicle expenses $3,675,000 46 $1,851,000
Local transportation $922,000 20 $476,000
Grocery stores $4,386,000 80 $2,140,000
Gas stations $4,102,000 47 $1,669,000
Other retail $11,017,000 217 $5,086,000
Wholesale Trade $3,489,000 25 $1,279,000
Local Production of goods $2,023,000 3 $131,000
Total Direct Effects $174,046,000 2,703 $54,126,000
Secondary Effects (Indirect And Induced)
Total Secondary Effects $79,007,000 737 $23,933,000
Total Effects (Direct and Secondary)
Total Effects $253,053,000 3,440 $78,058,000
Multiplier
Multiplier 1.45 1.27 1.44
26
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Sales
While overall ECT visitor spending is estimated to be $210.6 million, the direct economic impacts
of that spending are estimated to be $174 million in sales as not all ECT user spending is
captured as direct sales to the local economies of the ECT. Some ECT visitor spending is
realized as direct sales to more distant economies outside of the ECT region. As shown in Table
4, ECT visitor spending results in a secondary impact (indirect and induced) of $79 million in
sales and a total economic impact of $253 million. The secondary impacts are based on a
spending multiplier of 1.45 which means that for every dollar spent during a visit to the ECT, an
additional average of 45 cents worth of economic activity is felt within the local economy,
impacting secondary support industries which provide services to the businesses utilized by trail
users.
As Table 5 illustrates, the impact of lodging and restaurant expenditures is significant. Together
lodging (including camping) and restaurants represent 80% of all ECT visitor expenses. No other
spending category is greater than 6% of total sales.
Jobs
As Table 4 demonstrates, the MGM2 model predicts that visitor spending in and around the ECT
supports an estimated 3,440 jobs. This includes 2,703 jobs attributable directly to ECT spending
and, with a job multiplier of 1.27, 737 jobs due to indirect and induced effects of this spending.
Jobs estimates include both full-time and part-time positions. Seasonal jobs are calculated on
an annual basis (i.e., 4 jobs for 3 months equals one job on an annual basis).
Table 5: ECT Visitor Spending Categories by Percent of Total Sales
Spending Category Percent of total sales
Motel, hotel cabin or B&B 36%
Camping fees 5%
Restaurants & bars 39%
Admissions & fees 2%
Gambling 0%
Other vehicle expenses 2%
Local transportation 1%
Grocery stores 3%
Gas stations 2%
Other retail 6%
Wholesale Trade 2%
Local Production of goods 1%
27
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Labor Income
The MGM2 model also predicts that trail visitor spending in and around the ECT generates an
estimated $78 million in wages and salaries. This includes $54.1 million in wages and salaries
paid to persons working in businesses directly serving ECT visitors and, with a multiplier of 1.44,
$23.9 million in wages and salaries paid to workers in other companies in the region that supply
businesses directly providing goods and services to ECT visitors as well as households re -
spending income earned from ECT visitor spending.
Tax Impacts
Added to these effects are the tax dollars created at the federal, state and county level. As shown
in Table 6, a total of $9.3 million in local sales taxes is brought into the local economy, while
New York State collects another $7.7 million in sales tax revenue from spending directly related
to the ECT. In addition, $7.9 million in federal income taxes and $3.5 million in state income
taxes is generated by ECT-related spending for a total of $28.5 million in tax dollars attributed
to ECT visits by Zone One and Two residents.
Impact of Zone Two Residents
As the Erie Canalway Trail traverses a large portion of upstate New York between Buffalo and
Albany, the local economy surrounding the trail is made up of a number of smaller, distinct
regional economies. Although some spending by Zone One trail users visiting sections of the
ECT in other parts of the state might represent new money, the most conservative estimate of
new money entering the local economy considers only the spending undertaken by the 39,152
Zone Two residents (2.48% of the estimated annual trail visits).
The average expenditure per person per visit for Zone Two residents amounts to $1,128,
including accommodations, restaurants, transportation, and souvenir expenditures, and other
miscellaneous expenses, as categorized according to Stynes' methodology. As Table 7
demonstrates, spending by Zone Two residents represents 21% of all spending associated with
the ECT and amounts to $38.2 million in new direct effects to sales in the local ECT economies.
By combining a multiplier effect of 1.46, it res ults in $55.8 million in new direct and secondary
spending effects within the local regional economies. This new money also creates
approximately 731 jobs and $16.7 million in labor income in the local economies of the trail.
Table 6: Tax Impacts of Direct Sales and Income
Sales Income Total
Federal $0 $7,902,000 $7,902,000
State $7,745,000 $3,518,000 $11,263,000
Local $9,294,000 $0 $9,294,000
Total $17,039,000 $11,421,000 $28,460,000
28
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
As Zone Two residents presently represent only 2.48% percent of annual trail visits, there is
ample opportunity to grow this market segment.
Considerations for Future Study
While this study generated considerable new data on spending and usage patterns of visitors to
the ECT, it illustrated the following three factors which may actually have contributed to an
underestimate of the ECT’s true economic impact as well as ways in which future studies could
be modified to make data collection more comprehensive and precise.
Table 7: Economic Impacts of Zone Two User Spending; Direct and
Secondary Effects
Sector/Spending Category Sales Jobs Labor Income
Direct Effects
Motel, hotel cabin or B&B $18,823,000 222 $4,608,000
Camping fees $2,136,000 28 $659,000
Restaurants & bars $11,664,000 225 $3,782,000
Admissions & fees $783,000 17 $220,000
Gambling $122,000 3 $34,000
Other vehicle expenses $349,000 4 $176,000
Local transportation $456,000 10 $235,000
Grocery stores $939,000 17 $458,000
Gas stations $613,000 7 $249,000
Other retail $1,483,000 29 $680,000
Wholesale Trade $533,000 4 $196,000
Local Production of goods $342,000 1 $25,000
Total Direct Effects $38,242,000 567 $11,323,000
Secondary Effects (Indirect And Induced)
Total Secondary Effects $17,569,000 165 $5,356,000
Total Effects (Direct and Secondary)
Total Effects $55,811,000 731 $16,679,000
Multiplier
Multiplier 1.46 1.29 1.47
29
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Trail Length
As one of the longest multi-use trails in the nation, the sheer length of the ECT presents a
significant challenge for data collection. Observations were made at as many count locations as
possible, but data from each segment was generally obtained from only one loca tion. Two
segments did not include any observations. Future study could include additional count locations
or use additional electronic trail counters, which would allow for more comprehensive and
continuous monitoring of the trail and provide a richer and more accurate data set.
Sampling Period
Surveys and observational counts were conducted for the present study between July and
September 2012. Because the
survey period was June to
September, trail users may not have
included information about visits to
the trail they might make during
other seasons of the year especially
during the winter. Nevertheless, as
survey spending questions were not
specific to the season of use,
spending values are assumed to be
homogenous throughout the year.
The data collected amongst
persons who indicated they use the
trail for skiing and snowmobiling
corroborated this hypothesis, giving
reasonable confidence as to its
veracity. However, future survey
results may be improved by
conducting trail user surveys in all seasons of the year.
The limited sampling period is also not expected to impact the accuracy of the annual visitation
numbers as Lindsey's methodology includes monthly coefficients that are based on more than
three years of continuous, all season annual monitoring of trail use. In addition, the calcu lated
monthly estimate for each count location was entered in the Lindsey 2 Model as an estimate for
July – Lindsey’s highest traffic month. This resulted in the most conservative estimates for annual
trail traffic because it assumes the recorded count observations represent the highest traffic that
may be experienced throughout the year, even though some counts were obtained in June,
August, and September, months not likely to represent the highest monthly traffic volume.
Under-representation of Zone Two
A third factor possibly affecting estimation of economic impact is that Zone Two trail visitors are
quite likely under-represented within the sample. Conceptually, this is unsurprising, since people
who are away from home on vacation may be less likely to want to waste precious time filling
out surveys in person, or even be waylaid on the trail. Also, as 85% of Zone Two trail visitors
were bicycling, it may have been more difficult for surveyors to get the attention of bicyclists.
30
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Even if they heard the invitation of the surveyor, they may have been reluctant to stop cycling to
participate.
Systematic regression analyses have shown that there are marked differences in the sp ending
levels which are attributable to the zone a visitor comes from, controlling for all other co -varying
factors, including age, income, and education. Thus, a sample which neglects to contain a
representative proportion compared to the actual ECT population would inherently
underestimate, by a large percentage, the true impact of the ECT visitor on the New York State
economy. Furthermore, modest shifting of the zone membership equilibrium would have drastic
effects on the average expenditure per visit.
Potential underrepresentation of Zone Two is also important because dollars from Zone Two
visitors reflect money that would unlikely have otherwise been spent in the local ECT economy.
Zone Two residents, for example, spend more than twice as much as Zone One overnight users
and more than 42 times Zone One day users, each time they visit the trail.
Well-designed “trail survey ahead” signs, surveyors clearly identified with colorful shirts and/or
caps that say “trail surveyor,” and survey locations where cyclists need to naturally reduce their
speed may encourage more Zone Two trail users to participate. In addition, within the
communities where surveys are taking place local newspapers could include articles about the
survey and its importance and local businesses could display signs with messages about joining
in the effort.
Comparisons to Other Trail Studies
The results and findings of this study naturally generate questions about how the data compares
to existing information for the ECT and other trails of similar length and environment. One of the
reasons this study was undertaken was because there are so few comparable, relatively current
studies of similar trails and so little existing spending data specific to the ECT.
In 2008, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYS
OPRHP) undertook a study of spending for eight shared-use trails in the state. Two locations on
the ECT were included in this effort, Lock 32 in Pittsford in western New York and Lions Park in
Niskayuna in the Capital Region. However, the study did not include trail counts and the survey
design, data collection, and analysis were different enough from the present study to make
spending comparisons difficult.12
In 2008, the New York State Canal Corporation’s study of canal tourism included an estimated
economic impact of $41.6 million for day use visitors defined as “casual day visitors to Canalway
trails.”13 These estimates were based on extrapolation of limited data sets for trail traffic volume
and an average per person spending derived from other non -New York State and shorter trails,
not the comprehensive on-site data collection and separation of data by location of ECT visitor
residence that is the hallmark of this present work.
31
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
The most relevant study for comparison
is the economic impact report
completed for Missouri’s 240-mile Katy
Trail in 2012.14 The Katy Trail is of
similar length and is surrounded by a
primarily rural environment, not un like
some sections of the ECT. It too used
the MGM2 model to estimate economic
impact.
However, there are differences that
may explain why the ECT registered
more than 13 times the economic
impact ($18.5 million vs. $253 million).
First, visitation to the Katy Trail is
assumed to be 400,000. The study
presents the usage as an assumption, not a number derived from actual trail counts. It should
be noted that the usage assumed for the Katy Trail represents only one -fourth of the number of
visits projected for the ECT.
Local day visitors to the Katy Trail, equivalent to ECT Zone One day users, are reported to spend
$11.33 per person/visit, 43% of what ECT day visitors spend ($26.37). Overnight visitors to the
Katy Trail staying in motels, hotels or B&Bs spend $297.30 per person/visit. Campground visitors
spend $141 per person per visit. A weighted average of spending by all overnight visitors to the
ECT (from both Zone One and Zone Two) equa ls $612.53, about twice as much as the
hotel/motel/B&B visitors to the Katy Trail.
For another long-distance trail, Pennsylvania’s 141-mile Great Allegheny Passage Trail, a 2008
study found overnight visitors spend an average of $98 per person a day, while local trail users
and those engaged in a day trip spend an average of $13 per person.15 Spending figures for this
trail were reported per day, not per visit.
Some of the difference in spending by overnight visitors may be because 40% of overnight
visitors to the Katy Trail stay in campgrounds while only 20% of ECT overnight visitors choose
this less expensive form of lodging. Along the Katy Trail, there are established public and private
camping areas that are always open, located at about 35 -mile intervals. Similarly, for the Great
Allegheny Passage Trail, 29.6% of survey respondents chose to stay in campgrounds, the
accommodation type most frequently cited by trail users.16 For the ECT, while there are a few
established campgrounds and informal camping opportunities provided at canal locks, camping
is not as readily available.
As lodging is such a major element of overall spending, some of the difference could also be
explained by the number of nights that trail visitors spend on the trail. For survey respondents
who indicated they were vacationing along the ECT and staying overnight as part of that visit,
the average number of nights they reported staying away from home was 6.19. For the Great
Allegheny Passage Trail and the Katy Trail, overnight visitors stayed an average of 2.4 and 2.5
32
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
nights, respectively.17 This represents about 2.5 times more overnights for the ECT, which could
contribute to the ECT’s higher spending per visit.
33
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
CHAPTER 4: TRAIL USER SURVEY RESULTS
Introduction
To learn more about trail user
demographics, lifestyle preferences,
nature of ECT use, and trail-related
spending habits, survey responses
were obtained from 562 adults that
included trail users intercepted on
the trail and those who had
purchased PTNY’s cycling guide
and had used the trail within the last
year.
In many cases, responses to survey
questions were further separated by
zone of residence to determine if
there were differences between the
more local trail user and someone
who had traveled a longer distance for a trail visit. As described in Chapter Two, Zone One
includes 35 New York State counties: the 14 counties where the ECT is located and the 21
counties adjacent to these 14 counties. Zone Two includes the state’s other 27 counties and all
locations outside New York State.
Where relevant, survey responses were compared to results obtained from previous studies of
other trails, such as a NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) 2008
study of NYS rail trails which included two locations on the Erie Canalway Trail and a Rails to
Trails Conservancy comparison study of 14 Northeast rail trails. Of greatest relevance were the
studies of other long-distance trails including Pennsylvania’s 138 miles of D&L Trail; the 141-
mile Great Allegheny Passage Trail, connecting Cumberland, Maryland and McKeesport,
Pennsylvania; and Missouri’s 240-mile Katy Trail.18
34
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Demographics
Residence – primarily local
Question 1: What is your zip code? (Zip codes were aggregated to determine county of
residence)
Findings
Usage of the ECT is primarily local. In accordance with most previous trail studies, local is
defined as living within one of the counties immediately adjacent to the trail. The majority of
survey respondents (92.3%) resided in one of the 14 counties where the trail is located. Another
5.2% lived in one of the 21 counties ad jacent to the ECT counties. As previously stated, these
35 counties were defined as Zone One. Another 2.5% of those surveyed lived in 21 states and
six other NYS counties. These individuals were defined as representing Zone Two.
Location of Residence of Trail Users
Zone Percent
Zone
One
Users who live in a
county through
which the trail
passes
92.3%
Users who live in a
county adjacent to
a trail county
5.2%
Zone
Two
Users who live in
other areas of New
York State or
beyond
2.5%
Total 100.00%
n= 444
Users who live
in a county
through which
the trail passes
92.34%
Users who live
in a county
adjacent to a
trail county
5.18%
Users who live
in other areas
of New York
State or
beyond
2.48%
Percent of Trail Users by Location of
Residence
35
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Distance of Residence From Trail Section Visited – 5 miles or less
Question 2: Roughly, how far away from the part of the trail you visited, do you live?
Findings
Half of survey respondents were very local as they lived five miles or less from the trail. Two -
thirds lived within 10 miles. Only 20% lived 40 or more miles from the trail.
These results indicate that the ECT has not yet become a destination trail such a s the Katy Trail
where 67% of visitors were classified as nonlocal, which that study defined as traveling more
than 30 miles to reach the trailhead. On average, nonlocal users of the Katy Trail traveled 83
miles to reach a trailhead.
Percent of Trail Users by Distance of Residence to Trail
Distance From the Part of the Trail Visited Percent
5 miles or less 50%
Between 6 and 10 miles 17%
Between 11 and 15 miles 6%
Between 16 and 20 miles 3%
Between 20 and 30 miles 2%
Between 30 and 40 miles 3%
Greater than 40 miles 20%
n = 557
36
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Gender – majority male
Question 3: My gender is . . .
Findings
Survey respondents were 57% male and 43% female. The gender split is similar to that found in
other studies. Results of the 2008 NYS OPRHP survey of ECT users at Niskayuna’s Lions Park
found that 54.5% of trail users were male but in Pittsford 61% were male. In the 2012 study of
Pennsylvania’s D&L Trail 55.5% of trail users were male. The Rail to Trails Conservancy’s 2009
comparison study of 14 Northeast rail trails also found that gender percentages varied about
10% or less from 50-50 with 55% male being very common. These gender splits, however, are
very different from the Katy Trail where 75% of survey respondents were male and the Gr eat
Allegheny Passage Trail where 65.1% of trails users surveyed were male.
Gender of Trail Users
Gender Percent
Male 57%
Female 43%
n=550
37
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Age – Generation X
Question 4: My age is . . .
Findings
The greatest percent of trail users (41%) belonged to Generation X (30-49). Baby Boomers (50-
69) represented 34% of trail users. Less than half (41%) of those surveyed were under 40 years
of age.
When separated by zone of residence, the usage by a younger demographic is noteworthy. Of
Zone One respondents, 30% were 30-39 years old and almost half (49%) were between 18 and
39. Yet, only 18% of Zone Two residents were 40 years of age or less. The 77% of Zone Two
residents aged 40 to 69, including 59% between 50 and 69, likely represents the retirees and
mature adults that other studies have found often engage in short and long -distance bicycle
trips.19
Age of Trail Users
Age Cohort Percent
18-29 16%
30-39 25%
40-49 16%
50-69 34%
70-79 7%
80+ 1%
n =378
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
18-29 30-39 40-49 50-69 70-79 80+
Age of Trail Users
All users 18+ Zone One Trail Users 18+Zone Two Trail Users 18+
38
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Household Income – average
Question 5: My approximate annual household income is . . .
Findings
The majority of trail users (58%) reported a household income of less than $75,000. About one -
quarter of survey respondents (24%) have a household income within the category that contains
the state’s 2012 median household income of $57,683. Another 42% rep orted household
incomes of $75,000 and above, including 6% between $150,000 and $199,000 and 6% at
$200,000 or greater.
As such a large percentage of trail users were New York State residents, the household income
data was compared to census data on household income for New York State. There is little
difference in the percentage of trail users and all New Yorkers with household incomes greater
than $75,000. However, more trail users (44%) are in the middle household income categories
($35,000 to $ 74,999) than all New York residents (29%). For the lower income levels, the
difference is even more pronounced: 14% of trail users reported household incomes of $34,999
or less while 32% of all New York State households have incomes of $34,999 or less.
The 28% of ECT users who reported household incomes above $100,000 is more than what
was found for the Great Allegheny Passage Trail where 21% of those surveyed reported earning
more than $100,000 per year, but less than that found for the Katy Trail where 34% of trail users
reported an annual income of $100,000 or more.
Percent of Trail Users by Household Income
Household Income
Percent of
ECT Users
Percent NYS
Households
Less than $10,000 2% 8%
$10,000 - $24,999 4% 15%
$25,000 - $34,999 8% 9%
$35,000 - $49,999 20% 12%
$50,000 - $74,999 24% 17%
$75,000 - $99,999 14% 12%
$100,000 - $149,999 16% 14%
$150,000 - $199,999 6% 6%
$200,000+ 6% 7%
n = 453
39
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Educational Level – well educated
Question 6: What is your highest level of education?
Findings
Almost two-thirds of survey respondents reported having either a four-year degree (37%) or a
graduate or professional degree (28%). Another 30% reported a two -year degree or some
college. Only 6% reported a high school degree or less. Most other studies did not ask questions
about educational attainment, but similar results were found for the Katy Trail where 31% of
respondents had completed a four-year degree and 27% had completed a graduate degree.
Percent of Trail Users by Educational Attainment
Highest Level of Education Percent
Less than high school diploma 1%
High School Diploma 5%
Some College 15%
Two Year Degree 15%
Four Year Degree 37%
Graduate or Professional Degree 28%
n = 545
40
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Employment – employed
Question 7: My current work status is...
Findings
Nearly three-quarters of survey respondents work either full-time (58%) or part-time (16%), 19%
are retired, 3% are looking for work and 4% are students. When the responses were split by
zone of residence, the percentage of retired and full-time workers increased slightly for Zone
Two.
In the 2008 study of two ECT locations, the number of full-time employed trail users was similar
but more trail users were retired. At Lions Park in Niskayuna, 56.3% of ECT users were
employed full-time and 27.8% were retired. Of those completing surveys at Pittsford, 52.3% were
employed full-time and 23.1% retired. The changed economic circumstances may reflect the
lower number of retirees in 2012.
Percent of Trail Users by
Employment Status
Employment Status Percent
Student 4%
Looking for work 3%
Employed part-time 16%
Employed full-time 58%
Retired 19%
n = 553 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Student Looking for
work
Employed full
time
Employed part
time
Retired
Trail Users by Employment Status
All Trail Users Zone 1 Trail Users Zone 2 Trail Users
41
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Interests
Main Reason for Trail Use – health, exercise and fitness
Question 8: Would you consider your use of the trail to be primarily for: (choose one)
Findings
Health, exercise and fitness training was the motivation for using the ECT mentioned by the
greatest percentage of trail users (56%), followed by recreation (29%), tourism (7%), and
commuting to a job 2%. The 1% that indicated they were traveling to somewhere else may
represent those persons using the ECT for transportation which did not involve commuting to a
job.
Directionally, these results mirror those found for the 2008 survey of users of eight NYS trails
where health and exercise was also the main reason for trail use, selected by 60.5% of survey
respondents. In that same study, 65.5% of users of the ECT at Pittsford chose health and
exercise as their main reason for trail use. However, at Lions Park in Niskayuna, only 50.4% of
trail users cited health and exercise as the main reason for trail use.
As the number of respondents who indicated they used the trail for commuting was very small,
it is difficult to draw any conclusions about this type of trail use. Only 2% said they used the ECT
for commuting. Nevertheless, it is helpful to know that 42% commute one to five miles, 34%
travel 11 or more miles, and 25% commute six to 10 miles.
Percent of Trail Users by
Primary Trail Use
Motivation for Trail Use Percent
Health, exercise and
fitness training 56%
Recreation 29%
Tourism 7%
Other 6%
Commuting to job 2%
Traveling to
somewhere else 1%
n = 500
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Trail Users by Primary Trail Use
All Trail Users Zone 1 Trail Users Zone 2 Trail Users
42
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Dividing responses by zone of
residence reveals 63% of Zone One
respondents are using the trail for
health and exercise and only 1% for
tourism. For Zone Two residents
who are coming to the trail from
outside the ECT and surrounding
counties, recreation was the most
popular reason for using the trail
(38%). As might be expected of
Zone Two residents, the percentage
of respondents who indicated they
were using the trail for tourism was
much greater (31%) and the
percentage using the trail for health
and exercise was substantially less
(20%) than Zone One residents.
The reasons for trail use are also similar to those for local users of the long -distance Great
Allegheny Passage Trail where 60.7% of locals (defined as living in a trailhead zipcode) indicated
health, exercise and fitness and 37.2% cited recreation as the main reasons for visiting the trail.
Health was the major reason stated for visiting the D & L Trail and for trail visits to 10 of the 14
Northeast trails included in the 2009 Rails to Trails Conservancy study. These results confirm
the assumption, presented by the Rails to Trails Conservancy study, that health is usually the
reason given for visiting a local community trail while recreation is usually the primary reason for
visiting a destination trail. While the ECT is a long-distance trail, reason for usage again confirms
that it has not yet attained the deserved recognition as a destinat ion trail.
43
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
50+ Mile Bike Trips – somewhat to very interested
Question 9: How interested would you be in biking along a significant (greater than 50 miles)
portion of the trail?
Findings
Survey respondents were also asked their level of interest in biking along a significant (50+ mile)
portion of the trail. More than two-thirds of those responding to the question indicated they were
very (41%) or somewhat (28%) interested while 32% were either not very or not at all interested
in such an excursion. These results indicate potential markets for developing self -led or
organized ECT trips.
Percent of Trail Users by Interest in Biking Along a Significant Portion of the Trail
Level of Interest Percent
Not at all interested 11%
Not very interested 21%
Somewhat interested 28%
Very interested 41%
n = 432
44
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Multi-Day, Organized Bicycling Trips – interested in such an excursion
Question 10: There are a number of organizations, including our client Parks & Trails New
York, that organize multi-day bicycling trips along the trail. Which of the answer categories
below best describes your experiences with or interests in such bicycling excursions. Please
choose only one of the following.
Percent of Trail Users Who Have Not
Taken Such a Trip Before But Would
be Interested in One by Household
Income
Household Income Percent
Less than $10,000 4%
$10,000 - $24,999 2%
$25,000 - $34,999 9%
$35,000 - $49,999 20%
$50,000 - $74,999 24%
$75,000 - $99,999 14%
$100,000 - $149,999 15%
$150,000 - $199,999 6%
$200,000+ 6%
n = 190
Percent of Trail Users by Interest in an
Organized Ride
Interest in an Organized Ride Percent
Could not at this time take such a
trip 38%
Have not taken such a trip before
but would be interested in one 42%
Have taken such a trip before
and hope to again 19%
Have taken such a trip before
and probably won't again 1%
n = 511
Percent of Trail Users Who Have Not
Taken Such a Trip Before But Would
be Interested in One by Zone
Zone Percent
One 89%
Two 11%
n = 213
Percent of Trail Users Who Have Not
Taken Such a Trip Before But Would be
Interested in One by Age
Age Cohort Percent
18-29 23%
30-39 26%
40-49 24%
50-69 24%
70-79 4%
80+ 0%
n = 140
45
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Findings
Based on the responses received
from trail users, there is interest in
participating in organized cycling
trips on the ECT. Nearly half of
survey respondents (42%) said they
had not been on such a trip, but
were interested in taking one.
Among the other 20% who had
taken such a trip before, nearly all
(19%) said they hoped to take
another such trip in the future.
These responses indicate there is
potential for private operators to
develop a series of organized tours,
much as has been done for the
Great Allegheny Passage and Katy Trail. In addition to Parks & Trails New York’s annual Cycling
the Erie Canal tour held in early July, a few tour operators offer an occasional supported bike
tour of the ECT, but there is significant room for further development of this market.
The data was split by zone of residence to see whether interest in participating in an organized
ride along the ECT was greater among those living farther from the trail. Surprisingly, there is
significant interest among persons who live in the 35 counties surrounding the ECT (Zone One).
This represents an important, primarily untapped, local market for organized cycling trips on the
trail.
Persons who are interested in but have never participated in an organized ride on the ECT have
a different demographic profile than survey respondents who reported they were engaged in a
vacation on the ECT. More than half (59%) of those who said they would be interested in a
cycling trip on the ECT have a household income less than $75,000 per year , 50% are of
Generation X and almost half (49%) under 40 years of age.
46
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Canal History - interested
Question 11: Please choose the appropriate response: I am interested in the history of the Erie
Canal and specific historical spots along the trail.
Findings
As the history of the canal and the historical attractions surrounding it are of interest to almost
80% of survey respondents, it should be a prominent aspect of trail-related marketing efforts.
These results also highlight opportunities for local historic sites and historic communities to
undertake a direct appeal to the cycling tourist.
Percent of Trail Users by Interest in Canal History
Response Percent
Definitely Does 35%
Does Somewhat 44%
Not at all 4%
Not very well 17%
n = 497
47
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Well-being – positive effect
Question 12: Please choose the appropriate response: Overall, outdoor activities along the trail
have had a very positive effect on me.
Findings
Trail users recognize that their use of the ECT has had a positive effect on their well-being.
Almost 100% said the trail “had a very positive effect on me,” including 77% who said that it
definitely does. This benefit of the trail should also be part of the mes sage associated with
marketing efforts.
Percent of Trail User by Effect of Outdoor Activities Along the Trail
Response Percent
Definitely Does 77%
Does Somewhat 22%
Not at all 0%
Not very well 2%
n = 502
48
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Nature of Trail Use
Activity – biking predominates
Question 13: What activities do you engage in along the trail? Of those you checked off, which
is your most common activity on the trail?
Findings
Biking was named by 59% of survey respondents as their primary trail activity, f ollowed by
walking/hiking (29%) and far behind by running/jogging (6%), walking a pet (5%), and
skiing/cross-country skiing (1%). Adding those walking a pet and bird watching to the
walking/hiking category brings the total percentage of walkers to about 34%. Boating likely
represents persons who tied up their boats and were using the trail to visit canalside businesses
and attractions.
Survey respondents also reported engaging in at least two activities along the trail with bicycling
and walking being predominate.
The activity split for the ECT was closer to that found on the D&L Trail where just over 45% were
bicycling and 30% were walking with another 7% each jogging and walking a dog. On other long-
distance trails, bicycling is more popular. On the Katy Trail, most trail users were bicycling. Even
Percent of Trail Users
by Most Common Trail
Activity
Trail Activity Percent
Biking 59%
Walking/hiking 29%
Running 6%
Walking a pet 5%
Skiing 1%
Bird watching < 1%
Boating < 1%
Horseback < 1%
Rollerblading < 1%
n = 550
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Trail Users by primary trail activity
All Trail Users Zone One Trail Users Zone Two Trail Users
49
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
among local visitors, 72% were
bicyclists while only 36% were
walkers. On the Great Allegheny
Passage Trail, 88.1% of users were
bicycling. Only 14.5% were walking.
The greater popularity of walking on
the ECT may be due to the large
percentage of local, short-duration
use and because many sections of
the trail are readily accessible to
community centers and
neighborhoods.
Separating the responses by zone
of residence clearly reveals that
bicycling is the predominate activity
for those who travel to the trail from
a distance: 85% of Zone Two survey respondents cited bicycling as the most common activity
they engage in along the trail. These results are similar to those from the Katy Trail where 90%
of nonlocal visitors were bicycling while only 13% were walking.
50
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Time on Trail – 30-60 minutes per visit
Question 14: How much time do you spend on the trail during a typical visit?
Findings
More than half of survey respondents (51%) reported going out on the trail for 30 to 60 minutes.
These results appear to represent shorter visits than found in the survey of ECT users conducted
in 2008 where trail users at Pittsford and Niskayuna reported spending an average of 94 minutes
on the trail in their last visit. The lower number of minutes spent on the tr ail may reflect the
increase in percentage of walkers now using the resource.
The 20% of trail users who spend more than 120 minutes on the trail varies significantly from
the longest time users spend on other trails. On the D & L Trail, 44% of those surve yed spent
more than two hours on the trail and on the Schuylkill River Trail 49.7% of those surveyed spent
one to two hours.20
Splitting the data by zone reveals that local vs. non local use significantly affects time spent on
the trail. Of those who live in Zone One, 60% spend between a half-hour and an hour per visit
to the trail. Another 25% spend between one and two hours on the trail. However, almost all
Zone Two residents (95%) spend at least one hour on the trail, including 82% that spend more
than two hours on a typical visit.
Percent of Trail Users by
Time Spent on the Trail
Time spent on trail Percent
< 30 min 6%
30 - 60 min 51%
60 - 120 min 23%
> 120 min 20%
n = 550 0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
< 30 min 30 - 60 min 60 - 120 min > 120 min
Percent of Trail Users by time spent on
the trail during a typical visit
All Trail Users Zone One Trail Users Zone Two Trail Users
51
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Time Spent vs. Activity – little impact
Question 15: How much time do you spend on the trail during a typical visit?
Findings
The data was examined to determine if the time spent on the trail differed depending on the
nature of the trail activity as walkers might be expected to spend less time on the trail than
cyclists. The greatest percentage of walkers and bicyclists spent 30 -60 minutes on the trail
during a typical visit. A majority of walkers (69%) spent 30-60 minutes but another 21% indicated
they spend much longer, one to two hours, which means they could walk for more than one to
three miles in a visit.
The greatest number of cyclists (39%) also reported spending 30-60 minutes on the ECT during
a typical visit. Yet for cyclists, time spent on the trail was more evenly distributed between 30
minutes and more than two hours. However, the percentage of cyclists who spend greater than
two hours on the trail is six time s that of walkers, which supports the assumption that most of
the long-distance trail use is undertaken by bicyclists.
Percent of Bicyclists by Time Spent
on the Trail
Time spent on trail Percent
< 30 min 6%
30 - 60 min 39%
60 - 120 min 24%
> 120 min 31%
n = 289
Percent of Walkers by Time
Spent on the Trail
Time spent on trail Percent
< 30 min 5%
30 - 60 min 69%
60 - 120 min 21%
> 120 min 5%
n = 156
52
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Frequency of Use – weekly use
Question 16: How often, on average, do you use the trail? Please choose only one of the
following.
Findings
The majority of trail users (61%) report visiting the trail at least once a week with 9% visiting daily
and another 26% visiting three to five times per week. This kind of frequency demonstrates that
the ECT may play a major role in helping residents of ECT communities obtain the 150 minutes
of moderate aerobic activity per week that the American Heart Association and World Health
Organization recommend for good health.21, 22
Because of the high level of local use, the ECT experiences greater repeat use than found on
the Great Allegheny Passage, where only 25.9% of those surveyed used the trail once a week
or more and the Katy Trail where overall visitors averaged 26 visits per year and local visitors
averaged 51 visits a year or about once a week.
For Zone One residents, 74% use the trail at least weekly. As expected, high frequency use by
Zone Two residents is much lower, with only 4% of Zone Two residents using the ECT once a
week or more. Especially noteworthy is the 55% of Zone Two residents fo r whom it was their
first ECT visit.
Percent of Trail Users by
How Often They Use the Trail
How often
Respondents Use The
Trail Percent
Daily 9%
3-5 times a week 26%
1-2 times a week 26%
Couple times a month 13%
Once a month 2%
Few times a year 11%
First time 12%
n = 557
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
daily 3-5 times a
week
1-2 times a
week
couple
times a
month
Once a
month
few times
a year
first time
How often respondents use the trail
All users 18+ Zone One Trail Users 18+Zone Two Trail Users 18+
53
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Days of Use – weekend and weekday use
Question 17: When do you use the trail? Please choose all that apply;
Findings
As for when during the week they make their trail visits, a majority of trail users surveyed
indicated they visit the ECT on both weekdays and weekends.
Percent of Trail Users by When They Use the Trail
Days Percent
Weekend 22%
Weekday 14%
Both 63%
n = 541
54
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Seasons of Use – spring, summer and fall predominate
Question 18: What seasons do you make use of the trail? Please choose all that apply.
Findings
When asked to select the seasons that they use the trail, more than three-fourths of those
surveyed indicated they used the trail in spring, summer, and/or fall. Only 26% of those surveyed
reported using the trail during the winter. However, since the survey was not conducted during
winter months, it would not have captured persons who only use the trail during this season and
thus may underrepresent winter use. For marketing purposes, it would be important to present
photos of the trail in at least these three seasons and highlight varying benefits and experiences
associated with each.
Percent of Trail Users by Season of Use
Season Percent
Spring 82%
Summer 96%
Fall 75%
Winter 26%
n = 524
55
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Mode of Reaching Trailhead – driving
Question 19: How do you generally get to the trail entrance? Please choose only one of the
following.
Findings
The majority of survey respondents (59%) reported getting to the trail by car, truck, or van,
although 29% reached the trail by bike and another 12% by walking. The fact that 41% of
respondents access the trail by walking or cycling is not surprising as the trail, by virtue of i ts
location next to the Erie Canal in many places, is close to the center of towns and villages. For
those living only five miles from the trail, the number of persons who access the trail by walking
or bicycling increases to 57%. These results are also consistent with the primarily local use.
The large percentage of non-motorized travel to the trail that already exists highlights the need
to ensure that ECT communities work to develop the infrastructure that supports safe bicycling
and walking as part of their street network.
Percent of Trail Users by Mode
of Reaching Trailhead
Group Percent
Walk 12%
Bike 29%
Horseback 0%
Car, truck, van 59%
n = 545
Percent of Trail Users Living Less Than 5 Miles
from the Trail by Mode of Reaching Trailhead
Group Percent
Walk 22%
Bike 35%
Horseback 0%
Car, truck, van 44%
n = 268
56
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Composition of Travel Group – with others
Question 20: Which of these statements best fits your use of the trail? Please choose only one
of the following.
Findings
Almost half of survey respondents (45%) indicated they usually travel the trail with others.
Another 30% usually travel alone, and 24% travel equally alone or with others. The majority of
trail users (81%) do not travel with children under 15.
Solo vs. group travel did not differ much whether the respondents were bicycling or walking as
48% of respondents in each category indicated they usually travel with others. Traveling alone
was only minimally more popular with bicyclists.
Percent of Trail Users by
Persons in Group
Typical Travel Percent
I usually travel the
trail alone. 30%
I usually travel the
trail with others. 45%
I travel the trail
about equally --
alone and with
others. 24%
n = 556
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
I usually travel the trail
alone.
I usually travel the trail
with others.
I travel the trail about
equally -- alone and
with others.
Trail Users by Persons in Group
All Users Walkers/Hikers Bicyclists
57
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Size of Travel Group – one to three persons
Question 21: How many people do you generally travel with?
Findings
Of those who travel with others, 46% do so with one companion while 44% travel with 2 -3 others.
It is noteworthy that 3% of those who travel in a group do so with more than seven others.
Percent of Trail Users Who
Typically Travel With Others by
Number of Companions
Number of Companions Percent
1 companion 46%
2 - 3 companions 44%
3 - 7 companions 7%
More than 7 companions 3%
n = 381
58
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Trail Entry and Exit – same location
Question 22: Do you generally exit from the trail in the same place that you started?
Findings
About three-quarters of those surveyed enter and exit the trail at the same place. On the Katy
Trail, 15% of visitors traveled one way on the trail and 84% traveled out and back.
Percent of Trail Users by Trail Exit
Response Percent
Yes 76%
No 24%
n = 502
59
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Preference for Accommodations – hotels/motels
Question 23: If you planned to stay overnight, where would you most likely stay?
Findings
Almost three-fourths of trail users have not taken an overnight trip on the ECT. When these
persons were asked where they would most likely stay if they planned to stay overnight as part
of their visit to the trail, hotels or motels were the most popular choice, followed by B&Bs and
campgrounds. This should signal an opportunity for all lodging venues near to the trail, especially
motels and hotels, to direct their messaging to this potential trail user market.
Percent of Trail User by Lodging Preference
Lodging preference Percent
Hotels/motels 42%
B&B 36%
Campground 22%
n = 341
60
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Erie Canalway Trail Vacationers
As demonstrated in Chapter Three
of this report, expenditures
associated with ECT vacations,
such as lodging and restaurants,
can have a major impact on
spending and the economic impact
of the ECT. Therefore, the data has
been further segmented to learn
more about the demographics and
desires and motivations of ECT
Vacationers in order to help inform
future business development
decisions and marketing and
tourism promotion efforts along the
ECT.
ECT Vacationers are the 22% of trail
users who responded affirmatively to a survey question asking them if they were vacationing in
the area away from their home. ECT Vacationers may be exclusively visiting the trail or they may
include a visit to the trail as one of many other vacationing activities. Not all vacationers included
an overnight stay in their visit to the trail; 19% of survey respondents indicated they were
vacationing in the area away from their home but were not taking an overnight or longer trip
along the ECT.
Although the sample size of 119 for vacationers is smaller than the sample size of all trail
users, it is large enough to report statistically significant results with a confidence level of 95%
and a confidence interval of 10.
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Vacationing Status
Question 24: Are you vacationing in the area, away from your home?
Findings
Twenty-two percent of survey respondents were defined as ECT Vacationers as they indicated
they were vacationing in the area away from their home.
Percent of All Trail Users Who Are Vacationing
Status Percent
Vacationing 22%
Not vacationing 78%
n = 550
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Demographics of ECT Vacationers
Residence of ECT Vacationers –non local
Question 25: What is your zip code? (Zip codes were aggregated to determine county of
residence)
Findings
As would be expected, more than three-quarters of ECT Vacationers reside outside of the ECT
and surrounding counties. The 24% of Zone One Users (those living within an ECT or adjacent
county) who indicated they were visiting the trail as a vacation activity is noteworthy for what it
may convey about the local interest and enthusiasm that the ECT generates . These may be
persons engaged in either a “staycation” or driving as much as 300 miles to experience another
section of the trail.
Percent of Vacationers by Zone
Zone Percent
Zone 1 24%
Zone 2 76%
n = 119
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Gender of ECT Vacationers – majority male
Question 26: My gender is . . .
Findings
More of the vacationers are male (68%) than the general population of trail users (57%). These
results are relatively similar to the Great Allegheny Passage Trail where 70.9% of trail users who
stayed overnight were male and the Katy Trail where 79% of nonlocal visitors were male.
Percent of Vacationers by Gender
Gender Percent
Male 68%
Female 32%
n = 111
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Age of ECT Vacationers – Baby Boomers
Question 27: My age is . . .
Findings
ECT Vacationers are considerably older – 60% were over 50 years of age – than the general
population of trail users where the over 50s represent only 42%. More than half of ECT
Vacationers (55%) are Baby Boomers (50 and 69), in contrast to the overall trail user population
where the largest age group is Generation X (30-49) at 41%. Just 24% of ECT Vacationers are
under 39 years, while 41% of all trail users are in that age group.
Percent of Vacationers by Age
Age Cohort Percent
18-29 8%
30-39 16%
40-49 16%
50-69 55%
70-79 4%
80+ 1%
n = 104
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Household Income of ECT Vacationers – high
Question 28: My approximate annual household income is . . .
Findings
ECT Vacationers are more affluent than the general population of trail users. More than half of
vacationers (52%) have household incomes greater than $100,000, almost twice that of the
general population of trail users at 28%. Only 36% of vacationers have a household income of
less than $75,000 with no one reporting less than $25,000.
These vacationers are also more affluent than overnight visitors to the Great Allegheny Passage
Trail, 34.8% of which earn an annual household income of over $100,000.
Percent of ECT Vacationers by Household Income
Household Income Percent
Less than $10,000 0%
$10,000 - $24,999 0%
$25,000 - $34,999 3%
$35,000 - $49,999 14%
$50,000 - $74,999 19%
$75,000 - $99,999 11%
$100,000 - $149,999 28%
$150,000 - $199,999 12%
$200,000+ 12%
n = 90
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Educational Level of ECT Vacationers – highly educated
Question 29: What is your highest level of education?
Findings
ECT Vacationers are highly educated. More than one in eight of those surveyed (83%) had a
four-year degree or more compared to 65% of all trail users. Almost half (47%) of ECT
Vacationers had a graduate or professional degree.
Percent of Vacationers Educational Attainment
Highest Level of Education Percent
Less than high school diploma 0%
High School Diploma 2%
Some College 6%
Two Year Degree 8%
Four Year Degree 36%
Graduate or Professional Degree 47%
n = 110
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Employment Status of ECT Vacationers – employed
Question 30: My current work status is...
Findings
More than three-quarters of ECT Vacationers (77%) are employed part- or full-time, slightly more
than the general population of trail users (74%). About the same percentage of vacationers are
retired (20%) as in the general population of survey respondents (19%).
Percent of ECT Vacationers by Employment Status
Employment Status Percent
Student 2%
Looking for work 1%
Retired 20%
Employed full time 69%
Employed part time 8%
n = 99
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Nature of Trail Use by ECT Vacationers
Activity of ECT Vacationers – biking predominates
Question 31: What activities do you engage in along the trail? Of those you checked off, which
is your most common activity on the trail?
Findings
Bicycling is the primary activity for 87% of ECT Vacationers, much greater than for all trail users
(59%). These results underscore that bicyclists should be the major focus for ECT tourism
marketing efforts.
Percent of Vacationers by
Most Common Activity
Trail Activity Percent
Biking 87%
Walking/hiking 12%
Bird watching 0%
Boating 1%
Horseback 0%
Rollerblading 0%
Running 0%
Skiing 0%
Walking a pet 0%
n = 111
The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Spending of ECT Vacationers
Question 32: Total expenditures while on vacation
Findings
Survey responses indicate that ECT Vacationers spend on average $939 per visit, considerably more than the weighted
average spending of all trail users of $133.31 per person/visit presented in Chapter Three. As expected, Zone Two
Vacationers spend the most, an average of $1055 per visit.
Average Spending by ECT Vacationers
Motel,
hotel,
cabin
or
B&B
Camping
fees
Restaurant
s & bars
Groceries,
take-out
food/drinks
Gas
&
oil
Other
vehicle
expenses
Local
transpo
rtation
Admissions
& fees Clothing
Sporting
goods Gambling
Souvenirs
and other
expenses
Total
Spend
Zone 1
Vacationer
Spending $252 $88 $216 $52 $64 $38 $0 $19 $82 $56 $0 $29 $612
Zone 2
Vacationer
Spending $533 $129 $298 $106 $92 $38 $39 $39 $68 $97 $25 $85 $1,055
Average
Vacationer
Spending $469 $116 $278 $92 $83 $38 $30 $32 $73 $83 $15 $68 $939
n = 88
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Trail as a Factor in Destination Choice for ECT Vacationers – definitely yes
Question 33: Was the Trail a strong factor in your decision to stay in or visit the area?
Findings
The ECT definitely makes an important contribution to drawing vacationers to the region. For
96% of the ECT Vacationers, the trail strongly influenced their decision to stay in or visit the
area.
Percent of Vacationers by Trail as a Factor in Destination Choice
Response Percent
Yes 96%
No 4%
n = 100
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
How ECT Vacationers First Learned About the Trail – word of mouth
Question 34: How did you first find out about the trail?
Findings
Vacationers first learned about the ECT through a variety of communication channels. The
greatest percentage of those surveyed (42%) said they first found about the trail through word
of mouth. PTNY’s website was the first introduction to the trail for 28% of vacationers followed
by an Internet search for 21% and PTNY’s guidebook at 19%.
Given that so many of the ECT Vacationers were from Zone Two, it is surprising that the most
popular communication channel through which they heard about the ECT was word of mouth. It
may be that ECT Vacationers hear about the trail from friends, family, fellow bike club members,
or others, especially those who may have participated in Cycling the Erie Canal, PTNY’s annual
eight-day bike tour. After hearing about the trail, they may then find the PTNY ECT map online
and while there opt to buy the guidebook to plan their trip and take along on their trail visit.
Percent of Vacationers by How They First
Found Out About the Trail
Communication Channel Percent
Word of mouth 42%
PTNY website 28%
Internet search 21%
PTNY Guidebook 19%
Magazine 17%
Driving past 13%
NYS Canal Corporation website 11%
Bike shop 9%
County tourism office 6%
Live by the trail 5%
Trail kiosk 4%
Signage 4%
Newspaper 4%
Tourist agency 3%
Other 12%
n = 100
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Trip Planning Materials Used - multiple
Question 35: How did you plan your vacation?
Findings
Vacationers were also asked to select the trip planning materials they used. PTNY’s Cycling the
Erie Canal guidebook was used by the greatest number of vacationers to plan their trip to the
ECT (69%), which affirms the popularity of this resource that has sold more than 15,000 copies.
It is unclear what map was used by 43% of the vacationers, but it most likely includes the free
maps provided by the NYS Canal Corporation and Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.
The fact that only 25% of vacationers used the PTNY website map is interesting as the website
offers most of the same information contained in the guidebook. It may be that vacationers prefer
having a hard copy they can reference at any time and place.
Percent of ECT Vacationers by Trip Planning Resources
Trip Planning Resource Percent
PTNY guidebook 69%
Map 43%
Internet Search 35%
PTNY map 25%
Canal Corporation Website 17%
Other 13%
Roadside signage 8%
County tourism office 7%
Tourist agency 1%
n = 106
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Why Vacationers Choose the ECT – biking and natural scenery
Question 36: What attributes along the Trail attracted you to visit it? Please choose all that
apply.
Findings
Vacationers cited a number of reasons for choosing the ECT. Biking and the natural scenery
were the major reasons, mentioned by 75% or more of ECT Vacationers. Affordability was also
noted by 55%, followed by tranquility (43%), and environmental quality (36%). These responses
are important for guiding efforts to develop messages to target and attract a greater portion of
the cycling vacationer market.
Percent of ECT Vacationers by
Trail Attributes that Influenced
Visit
Trail Attribute Percent
Biking 76%
Natural scenery 75%
Affordability 55%
Tranquility 43%
Environmental quality 36%
n = 92
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Overnight Vacationers
Overnight Vacationers
Question 37: Do you ever take overnight or longer trips along the Erie Canalway Trail?
Findings
The survey data was further separated to learn more about the 81% of ECT Vacationers who
included an overnight stay as part of their vacation on the trail. As lodging is such a significant
aspect of ECT visitor spending, information on this population segment can help inform future
marketing efforts.
ECT Vacationers Who Take Overnight or Longer Trips Along the Erie Canalway Trail
Take Overnight or Longer Trips? Percent
Yes 81%
No 19%
n = 100
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Demographics of Overnight ECT Vacationers
Because such a large percentage of ECT Vacationers stay overnight, their zone of residence,
gender, age, household income, and employment status are almost equivalent to those reported
for all ECT Vacationers.
Nature of Overnight Vacationing Trail Use
Most Common Activity of Overnight Vacationers - biking
Question 38: What activities do you engage in along the trail? Of those you checked off, which
is your most common activity on the trail?
Findings
When the data were separated to look just at Overnight Vacationers, the percentage of bicyclists
increased only slightly from 87% to 89%. Perhaps because there are not as many other vacation
activities, 96.9% of overnighters surveyed on the Great Allegheny Passage Trail reported biking
as their primary activity
Percent of Overnight Vacationers by Most Common Activity
Trail Activity Percent
Biking 89%
Bird watching 0%
Boating 1%
Horseback 0%
Rollerblading 0%
Running 0%
Skiing 0%
Walking a pet 0%
Walking/hiking 9%
n = 74
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Length of Stay of Overnight Vacationers – 3 to 6 nights
Question 39: How many nights did you stay away from home?
Findings
In terms of revenues from lodging, which is a major component of trail user spending, it is
important to note that 95% of Overnight Vacationers stay at least two nights. Equally
impressive, two-thirds of Overnight Vacationers stay away from home between 3 and 14 nights
and more than one-third (34%) stay overnight seven days or more. The average number of
nights that they report staying away from home is 6.19 nights.
For the Great Allegheny Passage Trail, 73% of survey respondents planned to stay two or
more nights. The average number of overnight stays reported in conjunction with their trips
was 2.4. For the Katy Trail, overnight visitors stayed an average 2.5 nights. These results
could explain some of the lower spending per visit for visitors to the Great Allegheny Passage
and Katy Trails.
Percent of Overnight Vacationers by Number of Nights Stayed
Number of Nights Stayed Percent
1 night 4%
2 nights 24%
Between 3 and 6 nights 37%
Between 7 and 14 nights 29%
More than 14 nights 5%
n = 75
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Accommodation Choice of Overnight Vacationers – hotel/motel
Question 40: In what category of residence did you stay in during your visit to the Canal Trail?
Findings
When Overnight Vacationers were asked where they actually stayed during their visit to the trail,
hotels and motels were the most popular choice at 44%. Bed and breakfasts were used by 35%,
campgrounds by 20% and 1% indicated they were staying with family or friends.
These results compare favorably with the preference for accommodations expressed by the
general population of trail users who have not yet included an overnight stay in an ECT visit :
42% said they would prefer to stay in a motel or hotel and 36% indicated they would stay in a
B&B.
On the Great Allegheny Passage Trail, campgrounds (38.9%) and staying with friends and
relatives (6.9%) were more popular with overnight visitors. Less popular were the motels and
hotels chosen by 22% of trail users.
Percent of Overnight Vacationers by Lodging Category Utilized
Lodging category Percent
Hotel/Motel 44%
B&B 35%
Campground 20%
Staying with friends or family 1%
n = 75
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
CHAPTER 5: INTERVIEWS WITH OWNERS OF
LOCAL BUSINESSES IN ECT COMMUNITIES
Surveyors visited the owners/managers of more than 100 local businesses along the Erie
Canalway Trail and more than half of these individuals (53) c ompleted a usable questionnaire.
See Appendix D for the business owner survey.
Type of Businesses Surveyed
Business Type Total Sample Percent
Hotel or Other Lodging 8 15.10%
Outdoor store 2 3.80%
Bicycle Shop 4 7.50%
Restaurant - Fast Food 3 5.70%
Restaurant - Other 10 18.90%
Convenience store 3 5.70%
Gas Station 4 7.50%
Retail/Gift/Specialty store 4 7.50%
Sporting Goods store 2 3.80%
Drug Store/Pharmacy 2 3.80%
Supermarket 1 1.90%
Medical/Emergency Center 4 7.50%
Local Transportation 2 3.80%
Auto Service 1 1.90%
Bar 1 1.90%
Recreation/Amusement 1 1.90%
Not Specified 1 1.90%
Total 53 100%
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Restaurants other than fast food (10), hotels and other lodging (8), bicycle shops (4), gas stations
(4), retail/gift/specialty stores (4) and medi/emergency centers (4) were the major business types
that provided input. Three-quarters of these businesses (76%) were locally owned vs. 24% that
were part of a national or regional business network. Owners had a median of 11 years in their
business. Their annual reported revenues ranged from less than $500,000 to more than $5
million, with the modal category of $500,000 to $1,000,000.
Impact of ECT Users
When respondents were asked to measure their current and future business plans and
experiences, the overwhelming consensus was that ECT users have a substantial impact: more
than half (51%) said the trail had a moderate (30%) to big impact (21%). Only two businesses,
a convenience store and a gas station, felt the ECT had little or no financial impact.
Likelihood of Hiring Additional Employees
Local business owners in communities along the ECT were asked a series of questions that
measured how likely they would be to hire more full-time and/or part-time employees under three
realistic scenarios -- if ECT users were to boost their annual revenue by 5%, 10% or 15%:
A revenue increase of 5% from trail users would only cause one-third of respondents (6%
very likely; 27% somewhat likely) to hire more employees.
A revenue increase of 10% from trail users would cause nearly 75% of respondents (18%
very likely; 54% somewhat likely) to hire more employees.
If revenue from trail users were to increase by 15%; nearly all respondents (62% very
likely; 34% somewhat likely) to hire more employees.
Effectiveness of PTNY’s ECT Promotion Efforts
Business owners were more positive (6% very effective; 53% somewhat effective) than negative
(34% not very effective; 8% not at all effective) with regard to the effectiveness of efforts to
promote the ECT undertaken by PTNY, several state agencies, Chambers of Commerce and
local tourism offices, and local business owners.
Nearly all local business owners interviewed (39% very interested; 46% somewhat interested)
said that they support much closer coordination between state, local and county agencies, plus
local Chambers and local business owners such as themselves in promoting the Erie Canalway
Trail.
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Knowledge of the ECT
In response to the question of how
much they knew about the ECT and
trail users before their interview for
this study, just as many said they
knew only a little about the trail
(29%) as those who said they knew
a lot (29%). The biggest percentage
of respondents said that they knew
"a few things" about the trail before
the interview (42%).
Availability of Shipping Services
In response to the final question in the survey -- "Do you offer shipping services for items that
trail users buy along the trail?" -- only 27% said yes, while a large majority (73%) said no. This
is not a finding that would be considered "trail user friendly" among long-distance bicycle tourists
on the trail, some of whom are thousands of miles from home.
General Feedback
The business owner survey also contained an open -ended question asking for feedback. Most
of the comments indicated that business owners recognized a positive impact from the trail ,
although most were unsure of just how much, and thought the trail needed more resources
devoted to promotion. Business owners are doing a variety of things to attract trail tourists and
had a number of suggestions for how trail promotion could be increased. See Appendix E for a
complete list of all comments.
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
CHAPTER 6: INTERVIEWS WITH LOCAL
TRAVEL AND TOURISM OFFICIALS
All six of the Travel and Tourism
(T&T) officials interviewed for the
study said they were either "very" or
"somewhat" knowledgeable about
the ECT before their interview took
place. All six officials were aware of
the basic facts about the Erie
Canalway Trail -- 350+ miles,
stretching through 14 counties and
passing by the major NYS cities of
Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica
and Albany. However, only one had
read or heard about the trail survey
from press releases that had been
sent out before the start of trail counts and trail interviews.
Three of the six T&T officials said that PTNY had been in contact with them during the past year
and that their local/county agencies had received printed and photographic material from PTNY
that they could incorporate into their own efforts to promote the ECT. Two of the six said that
they had been aware of PTNY’s annual Cycling the Erie Canal Buffalo -to-Albany bicycle tour in
July.
All six said that they would welcome annual (or even more frequent) contact with PTNY's staff
and that they could do more to publicize the 500+ bicycle tourists as they pass through their
counties on the Cycling the Erie Canal bicycle tour from Buffalo to Albany. None of the six was
knowledgeable about the numbers of bicyclists, walkers, hikers and joggers that use their local
section of the ECT and said they wanted to be on the mailing list to receive both announcements
about the next bike tour and copies of the report from this study.
Below are some of the verbatim comments of T&T officials. See Appendix F for additional
verbatim comments of T & T officials:
"We mainly cover events and venues on the Niagara Frontier (Niagara Falls and Buffalo), but
the Erie Canal Trail is a unique attraction that we would like to market more. Not so much for
local people, many of whom already walk, bike or hike the trail, but more so for bicycle tourists
and people who are interested in the history of the Erie Canal."
"A few years ago we put together a little brochure with photos and the history of the local locks
along the canal and it was a big hit. We were only going to print a thousand but we had to triple
the print run. Maybe we should run it again next summer."
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
"We learned all about the Erie Canal when I was growing up in Pittsford. And now I am partly
responsible for showcasing the canal and canal trail. We would sure welcome more help from
Albany."
"Our county legislature is considering doubling the size of a picnic area along the trail, which
would include doubling the number of parking spaces, adding modern lighting and sanitary
facilities, and putting up more signs directing people to the expanded park. We think that park
would be great for us. But we are going to need money from the state government. Maybe
Governor Cuomo will read your report. Sure hope so."
"If your survey report shows that users of the Canalway Trail are spending a lot of money in our
towns, maybe that would convince local merchants to wake up and form a group to fund more
promotion of the canal and trail. Because right now I am not sure they take them seriously."
"The summer bicycle tour from Buffalo to Albany seems to be growing bigger every year. That's
good. But what about the day-to-day trail use during the rest of the year? Your numbers and
statistics will be very important to us."
"We need a real partnership between the counties and cities and Albany. The trail is a little gem
that could really bring a lot more people to New York State. But you have to make the investment
to do it."
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
CHAPTER 7: ENDNOTES
1 Stynes, D. J., D. B. Propst, W. H. Chang, and Y. Sun. Estimating regional economic impacts of park visitor
spending: Money Generation Model Version 2 (MGM2). Department of Park, Recreation, and Tourism
Resources; Michigan State University; East Lansing, Michigan, USA. 2000.
http://35.8.125.11/mgm2_new/
2 Lindsey Greg; Wilson, Jeff; Rubchinskaya, Elena; Yang, Jihui; Han, Yuling. “Estimating Urban Trail Traffic.”
Landscape and Urban Planning, 81 (2007), 299-315. 2007.
3 Alta Planning & Design and the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Pedestrian and Bicycle Council.
National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project. 2009.
4 Note: July, 2012 had 9 weekend days, rather than the assumed 8. Thus, this result and the overall projection
underestimates the overall volume.
5 4.3 represents the average number of weeks per month.
6 Lindsey, Greg. Personal Communication with Paul A. Scipione, Ph.D. 2013.
7 Although monthly estimates were calculated from June, July, August and September counts, each estimate was
entered in the Lindsey 2 Model as an estimate for July – Lindsey’s highest traffic month. This provides the
most conservative estimates for annual trail traffic because it assumes the recorded count observations
represent the highest traffic that may be experienced throughout the year.
8 For a confidence level of 95% CI [+/- 5] and a population of 1,603,214, n=384.
9 The 14 ECT counties are: Albany, Cayuga, Erie, Herkimer, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Niagara, Oneida,
Onondaga, Orleans, Seneca, Schenectady, and Wayne. The 21 adjacent counties are: Yates, Wyoming.
Tompkins, St. Lawrence, Schoharie, Saratoga, Rensselaer, Otsego, Osw ego, Ontario, Livingston, Lewis,
Hamilton, Greene, Genesee, Fulton, Cortland, Columbia, Chenango, Chautauqua, and Cattaraugus.
10 Stynes,et. al. 2000.
11 The MGM2 model offers a choice of one of four generic multiplier categories (rural, smaller cities, sma ll metro,
large metro) but because of the heterogeneous nature of the ECT none of these categories fully
represent the entire trail environment. Most of the 200 communities along the ECT have less than 50,000
residents and are classified as rural. The corridor also includes large metro areas, Rochester and Buffalo,
both of which have a population of more than 1.1 million, and the Albany-Schenectady metro area with a
population of almost 900,000, in addition to the small metro areas of Syracuse and Utica wit h populations
of 662,000 and 299,000, respectively.
12 New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, “Every Mile Counts: An Analysis of the
2008 Trail User Surveys.” September 2010.7, 20-25, 36-40, 52-53, 55-58, 60, 62-63.
13 New York State Canal Corporation, Economic Impact Study of New York State Canal Tourism. Eric Mower
Associates, 2008. 7, 17-19.
14 Missouri State Parks, Katy Trail Economic Impact Report, Visitors and MGM2 Economic Impact Analysis. 2012.
3, 5-6.
15 Campos Inc. The Great Allegheny Passage Economic Impact Study. Report prepared for The Progress Fund,
Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau and the Allegheny Trail Alliance, August 7,2009, Job #07 -294. 7, 14, 17,
29.
16 Center for Regional Progress, Frostburg State University, 2012 Trail Town User Survey Report for The
Progress Fund. 2012. 17.
17 Campos, Inc. 2009. 17.
17 Missouri State Parks, 2012. 6.
18 New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, 2010.
18 Tomes, Pat and Carl Knoch, Trail User Surveys and Economic Impact: A Comparison of Trail User
Expenditures. Rails to Trails Conservancy. 2009.
18 Tomes, Pat and Carl Knoch, D & L Trail 2012 User Survey and Economic Impact Analysis. Rails to Trails
Conservancy, 2012.
18 Campos Inc., 2009.
18 Campos Inc. Phase III: Trail Town Business Study. Report #07-294c. Pittsburgh PA: Campos Inc. and The
Progress Fund, 2009.
Place logo or logotype here, otherwise delete this. Place logo or logotype here, otherwise delete this.
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
18 Missouri State Parks, 2012.
19 Bike On Tours, “Develop Cycle Tourism in Your Community Become A Bicycle Touring Destination.” 2013.
http://www.bikeontours.on.ca/tourism.htm
20Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Schuylkill River Trail 2009 User Survey and Economic Impact Analysis. Rails-to-
Trails Conservancy. 2009.
21 American Heart Association, “Recommendations for Physical Activity in Adults.”
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealth y/PhysicalActivity/StartWalking/American-Heart-
Association-Guidelines_UCM_307976_Article.jsp
22 World Health Organization, “Fact Sheet N°385 Physical Activity.” February 2014.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs385/en/
Photo Credits
Most photos utilized in this report come from PTNY’s Erie Canal photo archives. However, the following
photos were graciously supplied by outside sources:
Executive Summary:
Photo 2 – The Sims Store: Chris Bolt, WAER.ORG
Photo 4 – Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge: Chris Bolt, WAER.ORG
Photo 5 – Camillus Erie Canal Park: Chris Bolt, WAER.ORG
Chapter 3:
Photo 3 – Missouri Visitors: Chris Bolt, WAER.ORG
Chapter 4:
Photo 10 – Bikes on a Boat: Sarah Wiles, Mid-Lakes Navigation
Photo 11 – Sunset on the Canal: James Bates, WikiMedia Commons
Chapter 6:
Photo 1 - Sunset over the Erie Canal in North Tonawanda: Joshua Karn, WikiMedia
Commons
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
APPENDIX A: ERIE CANALWAY TRAIL
SEGMENTS AND COUNT LOCATIONS
Segment 1: Buffalo waterfront to Pendleton , including downtown Buffalo near
Navy Park, Niawanda Park in the City of Tonawanda and the towns
of Tonawanda and Pendleton
Counties: Erie and Niagara
The paved trail begins at the Buffalo Inner Harbor and follows the Niagara River
for about 14 miles through a primarily urban/suburban enviro nment to the City of
Tonawanda. In the adjacent Town of Tonawanda the paved trail follows the canal
through the suburban Town of Amherst for about eight miles.
At the Town of Pendleton, the trail detours to the road before reaching the heart of
the City of Lockport.
Automatic Counter and Observational Trail Counts:
1) Niawanda Park, City of Tonawanda, Erie County
Niawanda Park is located on the banks of the Niagara River and a
popular recreation area for the city’s 15,000 residents. The trail is
paved and located close to the river’s edge. The area surrounding
the park is densely residential.
Segment 2: Lockport to Albion
Counties: Niagara and Orleans
Off-road, stone dust trail begins in the City of Lockport at the historic five-step locks
and continues east along the north side of the canal through farmland and
orchards. Small canalside hamlets and the Villages of Medina and Albion are
located on the south side of the canal across from the trail.
Observational Trail Counts:
1) Widewaters, City of Lockport, Niagara County
The Widewaters are located east of where the trail begins at the Five
Locks.
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Segment 3: Albion to Rochester west of the Genesee River
Counties: Orleans and Monroe
East of the Village of Albion, the stone dust trail continues along the north side of
the canal through farmland, the small rural Village of Holley, and the college town
Village of Brockport before entering the subu rban Village of Spencerport and the
more heavily populated Rochester suburb of Greece. Further east the trail is paved
in the more commercial and industrial area of the Rochester suburb of Gates.
Observational Trail Counts:
1) Henpeck Park, Town of Greece, Monroe County
Henpeck Park is a grassed, linear park located along the canal that
includes the paved trail, picnic tables and grills.
Segment 4: Rochester east of the Genesee River to Newark, including Schoen
Place in Pittsford, Bushnell's Basin; Village of Fairport; Perinton; and
Palmyra
Counties: Monroe and Wayne
The paved trail continues to follow the north side of the canal from where it crosses
the Genesee River in the City of Rochester’s Olmsted -designed Genesee Valley
Park to the residential suburbs of Brighton, Pittsford and Perinton and the bustling
villages of Pittsford and Fairport. East of Pittsford, with the exception of the section
in the Village of Fairport, the trail is stone dust. East of Fairport, the trail passes
along the canal through more farmland and the villages of Macedon and Palmyra
before terminating at the Village of Newark.
Observational Trail Counts:
1) Lock 33, Jewish Community Center, Town of Brighton, Monroe
County
The trail is paved and located adjacent to the Community Center. Across
the street from the Community Center is Lock 33 with a lock tender’s
house, small park, and parking lot.
2) Schoen Place, Village of Pittsford, Monroe County
The paved trail is located next to the canal and numerous small
restaurants and other shops. Trail traffic is of sufficient volume that
cyclists are asked to walk their bikes. To the east of the commercial
area the trail is stone dust and runs along the canal and the rear
yards of many houses.
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
3) Perinton Park, Village of Fairport, Monroe County
The park is located adjacent to the paved trail and canal at the
western side of the village before entering the commercial district.
The park has a community building and parking lot.
4) Whitbeck Road, Town of Arcadia, Wayne County
The stone dust trail traverses a wooded area adjacent to the canal
west of the Village of Newark.
Automatic Trail Counter:
1) Bushnell’s Basin, Town of Perinton, Monroe County
The trail is stone dust and adjacent to the canal. Through a wooded area
are a parking lot and suburban homes. Nearby is an historic bridge across
the canal leading to a small commercial area and boat docks.
Newark to Port Byron: Trail users must detour to local roads and State Route 31
for 30 miles before reaching the small rural village of Port Byron.
Segment 5: Port Byron to Camillus, including the Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct
Counties: Cayuga and Onondaga
From Port Byron, the stone dust trail primarily follows the former alignment of the
historic Enlarged Erie Canal. In some areas water remains in the prism. Much of
the trail is located adjacent to wetlands and active and inactive farmland. After
about seven miles the trail enters the small historic Vi llage of Jordan before
continuing on through farmland and scrub land along the Enlarged Erie to the Town
of Camillus where the Sims Store, a replica of a canal store and associated
outbuildings, and the restored c.1844 Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct are located in a
park-like setting. Just beyond the aqueduct, the trail ends at Warners Road.
Automatic Counter and Observational Trail Counts:
1) Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct, Town of Camillus, Onondaga County
The stone dust trail passes over a restored aqueduct, 1.5 miles from
the Sims Store which is a popular spot for trail users to park.
Camillus to DeWitt: Trail users must detour to the roads within the Town of Camillus,
Village of Solvey, Town of Geddes, City of Syracuse, and Town of DeWitt for a total of
about 16 miles.
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Segment 6: DeWitt to Oneida, including Cedar Bay Park in DeWitt
Counties: Onondaga and Madison
Off-road stone dust trail begins along the alignment of the historic Enlarged Erie
Canal in the Town of DeW itt’s Ryder Park adjacent to the Limestone Creek
Aqueduct. The trail becomes part of the 36-mile Old Erie Canal State Park in the
town of DeW itt. It first travels adjacent to suburban residential neighborhoods
before entering active and inactive farmland. It then skirts the Village of
Chittenango and travels through the center of the Village of Canastota before
arriving on the outskirts of the City of Oneida at the Durhamville Aqueduct.
Observational Trail Counts:
1) Cedar Bay Park, Town of Dewitt, Onondaga County
The stone dust trail is located on the north side of the Enlarged Erie
Canal within Old Erie Canal State Park. A bridge across the canal
links to a parking lot on the south side of the canal. The trail is
surrounded by suburban residential neighborhoods.
Segment 7: Oneida to Oriskany, including Lock 21.
Counties: Madison and Oneida
Still within Old Erie Canal State Park, the trail diverges to the roadside on Route
46 for about two miles north of Oneida. After that detour, the stone dust trail follows
the historic canal through farm and woodlands for five miles. The trail rejoins the
active Erie Canal at Lock 21, where there is a hiker-biker-boater campsite. The
trail is paved for about two miles until it diverts back to stone dust for about five
miles along the historic Erie Canal. The trail ends at the Erie Canal Village on the
outskirts of the City of Rome, which is the eastern boundary of Old Erie Canal State
Park. Within Rome, the trail detours to the road for about five miles. Stone dust
trail begins off-road again to the east of the city, extending about six miles to
Oriskany.
No observational or automatic trail counts were taken in this section.
Segment 8: Oriskany to Utica including Lock 20 at Marcy and the east side of
Genesee St. in Utica
Counties: Oneida and Herkimer
After a one-half mile on-road segment from Oriskany, the stone dust trail continues
for approximately two miles along the active Erie Canal from River Street to the
pedestrian bridge over Crane Brook. The trail is then paved for five miles to
Genesee Street and the Canal Marina in Utica.
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Observational Trail Counts:
1) Lock 20 Park, Town of Marcy, Oneida County
The paved trail passes on the south side of Lock 20 on the active
Erie Canal where there is a hiker-biker-boater campsite, restrooms
and a pavilion.
2) East side of Genesee Street, City of Utica, Oneida County
The paved trail ends at the Canal Marina located at Genesee Street
Utica to Mohawk: The trail is located on-road for about 12 miles between
Genesee Street in the City of Utica and Route 28 in of the Village of Mohawk.
Segment 9: Mohawk to Canajoharie, including the Canal Harbor facility in the City
of Little Falls and the Villages of St. Johnsville, Fort Plain and
Canajoharie.
Counties: Herkimer and Montgomery
Two miles of paved and stone dust trail extend east from Route 28 in the Village
of Mohawk to the historic Fort Herkimer Church along the south side of the Erie
Canal and Mohawk River in the Town of German Flatts. The trail route then
continues on-road for approximately six miles to the City of Little Falls. Beginning
at Route 167 in Little Falls, there are two miles of paved trail and then
approximately 14 miles of stone dust rail trail extending through farmland and the
Mohawk River valley to the Village of Fort Plain. There are then four miles of paved
trail from Fort Plain to the Village of Canajoharie.
Observational Trail Counts:
1) Villages of Canajoharie and Fort Plain, Montgomery County
As it was a former rail corridor, the paved trail is located in the center
of the historic 19th century canal villages of Fort Plain and
Canajoharie.
Segment 10: Canajoharie to Amsterdam, including Schoharie Crossing State
Historic Site in Fort Hunter
County: Montgomery
East of Canajoharie the stone dust rail trail is located south of the Erie Canal and
Mohawk River in an area of primarily rural farmland for approximately 15 miles
before reaching Fort Hunter and the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site. A
paved trail then continues approximately five miles to the City of Amsterdam.
No observational or automatic trail counts were taken in this section.
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Segment 11: Amsterdam to Schenectady
Counties: Montgomery and Schenectady.
Two more miles of paved trail extend east from Amsterdam south of the Erie Canal
and Mohawk River. The trail route continues on-road for about eight miles to the
hamlet of Rotterdam Junction, where the paved trail resumes along historic and
active sections of the Erie Canal for about six miles to the City of Schenectady. A
short section of the trail route is on-road within the historic Stockade District of the
city.
Observational Trail Counts:
1) Schenectady Community College, City of Schenectady,
Schenectady County
Segment 12: Schenectady to Cohoes, including the Rexford Aqueduct and Lions
Park in Niskayuna.
Counties: Schenectady and Albany
From the City of Schenectady east, the trail is paved and follows the Erie Canal
and Mohawk River through suburban neighborhoods and several parks for about
18 miles before entering the City of Cohoes.
Automatic Trail Counter:
1) Lions Park, Town of Niskayuna, Albany County
The trail passes through the park, also known as Railroad Station
Park. The park includes a large parking area, picnic tables with views
of the Erie Canal and Mohawk River, public canoe / kayak access,
public restrooms and a turn-of-the-century train depot. The park is
surrounded by dense suburban development.
Segment 13: Cohoes to Albany along the west side of the Hudson River, including
Schuyler Flats Park in Watervliet, the Corning Preserve Park and
boat launch, and the walkway over Rt. 787 in Albany. County:
Albany.
The trail is on-road for about 4.5 miles from the City of Cohoes through the Village
of Green Island and City of Watervliet. Paved trail begins opposite Menands and
continues along the west bank of the Hudson River in an area of flood plain for
about five miles to the Corning Preserve Park in the City of Albany.
Automatic Trail Counter:
1) Corning Preserve, City of Albany, Albany County
The Corning Preserve is a riverfront park and festival site located
along the western bank of the Hudson River in the heart of the City
of Albany.
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APPENDIX B: TRAIL USER COUNT
PROTOCOL AND COUNTING FORM
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
APPENDIX C: TRAIL USER SURVEY
Thank you for agreeing to take part in a benchmark study of the economic impact of the Erie
Canalway Trail. Completing this questionnaire takes less than 10 minutes. Your participation
will be kept 100% anonymous by Dr. Scipione and his students at SUNY Geneseo. This study
is being sponsored by the statewide not-for-profit Parks & Trails New York. If you would like
any information about the study, please e -mail:
Dr. Scipione at scipione@geneseo.edu
There are 50 questions in this survey
Geographic Location
Before you begin taking the survey, please select the area the flyer was given to you. This will
allow us to aggregate your answers along with others from the same region. Please remember
that your answers are anonymous, and that at any time if you do not wish to answer, please
simply skip the question.
Q1: Please select the area:
Please choose only one of the following:
Buffalo Waterfront, The Tonawandas, Pendleton
Downtown Lockport to Albion
Albion to Rochester (west of the Genesee River)
Rochester to Newark
Port Byron to Camillus
DeWitt to Oneida
Oneida to Oriskany
Oriskany to Herkimer
Herkimer to Canajoharie
Canajoharie to Amsterdam
Amsterdam to Schenectady
Schenectady to Trail-end at Hudson River in Waterford
Cohoes to Albany
User Demographics
This section will allow us to identify the unique characteristics of each user group surveyed.
With that, we can create an interactive, projectable model of the spending and usage patterns
for current and future trail users.
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Q2: What is your zipcode?
Please write your answer here:
Q3: Are you vacationing in the area, away from your home?
Please choose only one of the following:
Yes
No
Q4: Please choose the appropriate response for each item:
Q5: If you regularly make a vacation along the trail, how many times, per year, do
you do so?
Only answer this question if the following conditions are met: (Q3 = "Y")
Please write your answer here:
Q6: How do you generally get to the trail entrance?
Please choose only one of the following:
Car/Truck/Van
Bike
Walk
Horseback
Other
5
miles
6-10
miles
11-15
miles
16-20
miles
20-30
miles
30-40
miles
40+
miles
Roughly, how far away from the part of
the trail you visited, do you live?
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Q7: How would you rate the parking at the trail?
Only answer this question if the following conditions are met: (Q6 = "1")
Please choose the appropriate response for each item:
Q8: My gender is . . .
Please choose only one of the following:
Female
Male
Q9: My age is...
Please choose only one of the following:
18-29
30-39
40-49
50-69
70-79
80+
Q10: What activities do you engage in along the trail?
Please choose all that apply:
Walking/Hiking
Biking
Horseback
Running
Walking a pet
Bird Watching
Availability Cost
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Skiing
Snowmobiling
Rollerblading
Boating
Other:
Q11: Of those you checked off, which is your most common activity on the trail?
Please choose only one of the following:
Walking/Hiking
Biking
Horseback
Running
Walking a pet
Bird Watching
Skiing
Snowmobiling
Rollerblading
Boating
Other
Q12: Which of these statements best fits your use of the trail?
Please choose only one of the following:
I usually travel the trail alone.
I travel the trail alone more often than with others.
I travel the trail about equally -- alone and with others.
I travel the trail with others more than
I usually travel the trail with others.
Q13: How many people do you generally travel with?
Only answer this question if the following conditions are met: (Q12 = "3" or Q12 = "4" or
Q12 = "5")
Please choose only one of the following:
1 companion
2-3 companions
3-7 companions
>7 companions
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Q14: When do you primarily use the trail?
Please choose only one of the following:
Weekday
Weekend
Both
Q15: How often, on average, do you use the trail?
Please choose only one of the following:
Daily
Between 3-5 times a week
1 or 2 times a week
A couple of times a month
Once a month
Few times a year
First time
Q16: How many in your group are between
Only answer this question if the following conditions are met: (Q12 = "2")
Please choose the appropriate response for each item:
Q17: Are there any children with you under the age of 15?
Please choose only one of the following:
Yes
No
1 2 3 4 5
18-29
30-39
40-49
50-69
70-79
80+
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Q18: When you travel the trail, how often are children under the age of 15 with
you?
Only answer this question if the following conditions are met: (Q17 = "Y")
Please choose the appropriate response for each item:
Q19: What is you and your spouse's highest levels of education?
Please choose the appropriate response for each item:
Q20: Please choose the appropriate response for each item:
Trail Usage and Spending Patterns
These characteristics will allow us to predict with relative accuracy the spending power of
different demographics along the trail, as well as the current usage patterns.
1 2 3 4 5
Always
Frequently
Seldom
Never
Your level of education Spouse's level of education
Less than High School Diploma
High School Diploma
Some College
2 year degree
4 year degree
Graduate or Professional school
Not married
More active About as active Less active
Compared to my age group, I am:
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Q21: When do you use the trail?
Please choose all that apply:
Weekday Mornings
Weekday Midday
Weekday Afternoons
Weekday Evenings
Weekend AM
Weekend PM
Q22: How much time do you spend on the trail during a typical visit?
Please choose only one of the following:
Less than 30 minutes
30-60 min
60-120 min
>120 min
Q23: Would you consider your use of the trail to be primarily for:
Please choose only one of the following:
Recreation
Health and Exercise
Commuting to job
Traveling to somewhere else
Fitness training
Tourism
Other
Q24: If you commute, how far is your typical journey, one way in miles?
Only answer this question if the following conditions are met: (Q23 = "3" or Q23 = "4")
Please choose only one of the following:
1-5 mile
6-10 mile
11-20 mile
More than 20 miles
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Q25: What seasons do you make use of the trail?
Please choose all that apply:
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Q26:
How much would you estimate
your expenditures to be per trip?
How many times, in a year, do you
participate in each of these activities listed
to the left?
Walking/Hiking
Biking
Horseback riding
Running/Jogging
Walking a Pet
Bird watching
Skiing in winter
Snowmobiling
Rollerblading
Casual boating on the
canal
Traveling along the
canal by boat
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Q27: Let's start with the money that you spend for products and services on the
days that you actually use the trail, no matter what the activity. In the two column
below, please tell us: (1) what activities you ever engage in along the trail; (2) about
how many times you engage in that kind of activity along the trail; and (3) the
approximate amounts you spend on various products and services. You will only
have to do this for the activities that you actually engage in along the trail.
Q28: Then there are the longer-term expenses of various kinds of outdoor
activities. You mentioned that you bicycle and go cross-country skiing along the
trail. About how much do you spend each year on the various kinds of longer-term
expenses listed below?
What is the
activity?
How many times do you engage in the
activity in a year?
How much do you spend per visit to
the trail?
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Spending
Buying a new or used bicycle
For bicycle repairs
For bicycle accessories
Any other costs related to bicycling
Buying or renting cross-country skiis & poles
Ski clothing
Footwear for skiing
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Q29: Previously in the survey, you indicated what your primary activity along the
trail was. Please fill out the following questions with sole regard to that activity.
Only answer this question if the following conditions are met: (Q3 = "N")
Total expenditures within one typical visit to
the trail:
Motel, hotel, cabin or B&B
Camping fees
Restaurants & bars
Groceries, take-out food/drinks
Gas & oil
Other vehicle expenses
Local transportation
Admissions & fees (i.e. amusement parks, entrance fees to
state parks, etc.)
Clothing
Sporting goods
Gambling
Souvenirs and other expenses
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Q30: Previously in the survey, you indicated that you were visiting the trail while
vacationing. Please fill out the following questions with sole regard to that activity.
Only answer this question if the following conditions are met: (Q3 = "Y")
Other Trail Plans
Q31: Do you ever take overnight or longer trips along the Erie Canalway Trail?
Please choose only one of the following:
Yes
No
Q32: How many nights did you, or do you plan to, stay away from home?
Only answer this question if the following conditions are met: (Q31 = "Y")
Please write your answer here:
Total expenditures while on
vacation
Motel, hotel,cabin or B&B
Camping fees
Restaurants & bars
Groceries, take-out food/drinks
Gas & oil
Other vehicle expenses
Local transportation
Admissions & fees (i.e. amusement parks, entrance fees to state
parks, etc.)
Clothing
Sporting goods
Gambling
Souvenirs and other expenses
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Q33: In what category of residence did you stay in during your visit to the Canal
Trail?
Only answer this question if the following conditions are met: (Q31 = "Y")
Please choose only one of the following:
Hotel or Motel
Bed and Breakfast place
Campground
Staying with family or friends
Q34: How much did you spend per night on overnight accomodations?
Only answer this question if the following conditions are met: (Q31 = "Y")
Please write your answer here:
Q35: How many people are in your overnight party?
Only answer this question if the following conditions are met: (Q31 = "Y")
Please write your answer here:
Q36: There are a number of organizations, including our client Parks & Trails New
York, that organize multi-day bicycling trips along the trail. Which of the answer
categories below best describes your experiences with or interests in such bicycling
excursions.
Please choose only one of the following:
Have taken such a trip before and hope to again
Have taken such a trip before and probably won't again
Have not taken such a trip before but would be interested in one
Could not at this time take such a trip
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Q37: Was the Trail a strong factor in your decision to stay in or visit the area?
Only answer this question if the following conditions are met: (Q3 = "Y")
Please choose only one of the following:
Yes
No
Q38: What attributes along the Trail attracted you to visit it?
Only answer this question if the following conditions are met: (Q37 = "Y") and (Q3 = "Y")
Please choose all that apply:
Biking excursions
Affordability
Natural Scenery
Environmental Quality
Tranquility
Other:
Q39: If not, what was the primary factor that caused you to vacation in the area?
Only answer this question if the following conditions are met: (Q37 = "N") and (Q3 = "Y"))
Please choose only one of the following:
Proximity to family
Affordability
Enhancement of family relationships
Facilitation of social interaction
Other
Q40: How interested would you be in biking along a significant (greater than 50
miles) portion of the trail?
Please choose only one of the following:
Very interested
Somewhat interested
Not very interested
Not at all interested
Not applicable
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Q41: How did you first find out about the trail?
Only answer this question if the following conditions are met: (Q3 = "Y")
Please choose all that apply:
Word of mouth
Roadside signage
Driving past
Live by the trail
Trail kiosk
Newspaper
Magazine
Bike shop
County tourism office
Tourist agency
PTNY Cycling the Erie Canal guidebook
PTNY website
NYS Canal Corporation website
Internet search
Other:
Q42: If you planned to stay overnight, where would you most likely stay?
Only answer this question if the following conditions are met: (Q31 = "N")
Please choose only one of the following:
Hotel
Bed and Breakfast
Motel
Campground
Q43: How did you plan your vacation?
Only answer this question if the following conditions are met: (Q3 = "Y") or (Q31 = "Y")
Please choose all that apply:
Map
Roadside signage
County tourism office
Tourist agency
PTNY Cycling the Erie Canal guidebook
Canalway Trail interactive map on PTNY website
NYS Canal Corporation website
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Internet search
Other:
Q44: What was the name of the tourism agency that you hired?
Only answer this question if the following conditions are met: (Q43_4 = "Y")
Please write your answer here:
Q45: Are you now or have you ever been a member of a bicycling, hiking, jogging,
walking or other outdoor-oriented club?
Please choose only one of the following:
Yes
No
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
User Traits
Listed below are a number of short statements about your activities along the Erie Trail. Please
tell us how much each statement describes your experiences, preferences and views using the
following 4-point answer scale:
Q46: Please choose the appropriate response for each item:
Definitely
Does
Does
Somewhat
Not Very
Well
Not at
all
I usually start and stop my trips along the trail at the
same place
There are indoor people and outdoor people: I am
definitely an outdoor person.
Some of the best places to exercise, like the trail, are
very inexpensive.
I prefer linear type trips along the trail, starting and
stopping from different places.
My activities along the trail are mainly for personal
fitness and health.
I prefer exercising within parks rather than traveling
from Point A to Point B.
Biking, running or doing other things along along the
trail are a way to have fun with friends and family.
I am a person who has trouble following signs and
maps.
I am interested in the history of the Erie Canal and
specific historical spots along the trail.
You meet nice people along the trail and seldom if
ever have to worry about your safety.
Overall, outdoor activities along the trail have had a
very positive effect on me.
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Final Questions
Q47: Do you generally exit from the trail in the same place that you started?
Please choose only one of the following:
Yes
No
Q48: Do you prefer the linear layout of the Trail, as opposed to more traditional,
confined parks?
Please choose only one of the following:
Yes
No
Q49: My current work status is...
Please choose only one of the following:
I work fulltime
I work part-time
I am looking for work
I am retired
I am a student
Q50: My approximate annual household income is . . .
Please choose only one of the following:
Less than $10,000
$10,000 to $24,999
$25,000 to $34,999
$35,000 to $49,999
$50,000 to $74,999
$75,000 to $99,999
$100,000 to $149,999
$150,000 to $199,999
$200,000 or more
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Thank you for taking the time to provide your opinions and suggestions! If you would like more
information about Parks & Trails New York or the Canalway Trail or would like to order PTNY's
guidebook, Cycling the Erie Canal, please visit www.ptny.org. Also connect with us on
Facebook and Twitter.
Submit your survey.
Thank you for completing this survey.
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
APPENDIX D: BUSINESS OWNERS SURVEY
Thank you for helping us study how the owners of businesses in communities along the Erie
Canal Trailway are impacted by people who use the Trail. Completing this questionnaire takes
less than 10 minutes. Your participation will be kept 100% anonymous by Dr. Scipione and his
students at SUNY Geneseo. This study is being sponsored by the statewide not -for-profit
Parks & Trails New York. If you would like any information about the study, please e-mail Dr.
Scipione.
There are 19 questions in this survey
Business demographics
Q1: Which of these categories best describes your business?
Please choose only one of the following:
Hotel and Lodgings
Outdoor store
Bicycle shop
Restaurant - Fast Food
Restaurant - Other
Convenience store
Gas station
Retail/gift/specialty store
Sporting Goods store
Drug store/Pharmacy
Supermarket
Medi/Emergency Center
Local Transportation
Auto Service
Bar
Recreation or Amusement
Other
Q2: Is your business locally owned or part of a national or regional chain?
Please choose only one of the following:
Locally owned
Part of a national/regional chain
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Q3: How many years have your operated at your location?
Please write your answer here:
Q4: Which of these categories contains your approximate total annual revenue?
Please choose only one of the following:
Less than $500,000
$500,000 to $999,999
$1 million to $1.99 million
$2 million to $2.99 million
$3 million to $4.99 million
$5 million or more
Q5: Overall, what kind of financial impact do people who use the Canalway Trail
have on your business?
Please choose only one of the following:
A big financial impact
A moderate financial impact
A small financial impact
Little or no impact
Q6: Why do you feel that the trail had this financial impact of the Trail on your
business? Anything else?
Please write your answer here:
Q7: Parks & Trails New York, several state agencies, various Chambers of
Commerce and local tourism officials in communities along the trail all promote
use of the Erie Canalway Trail. In general, how effective do you think these
promotional efforts have been?
Please choose only one of the following:
Very effective
Somewhat effective
Not very effective
Not at all effective
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Q8: Why do you feel that way about current efforts to promote more usage of the
Erie Canalway Trail? Do you have any specific examples?
Please write your answer here:
Estimating future impact
Now we have a few questions about how, if at all, your business would be affected if the
number of users, and the local spending of those users, are increased. One important way of
measuring economic impact is by whether or not you would need to hire more employees i f
your business revenue grows. Let's take a look at three scenarios.
Q9: What would be the impact if greater spending by people using the Erie
Canalway Trail were to increase your annual revenue by 5%? Would you be:
Please choose only one of the following:
Very likely to hire more employees
Somewhat likely
Not very likely
Not at all likely to hire more employees.
Q10: If there is any possibility that you would hire more employees (an answer of
1, 2 or 3 on Q9 above) based on a 5% increase in business: Would you be likely to
hire (circle all that apply):
Please choose all that apply:
Hire a few PT worker(s)
Hire new FT employee(s)
Upgrade current PT's to FT's
Other:
Q11: What would be the impact if greater spending by people using the Erie
Canalway Trail were to increase your annual revenue by 10%? Would you be:
Please choose only one of the following:
Very likely to hire more employees
Somewhat likely
Not very likely
Not at all likely to hire more employees.
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Q12: If there is any possibility that you would hire more employees (an answer of
1, 2 or 3 on Q11 above) based on a 10% increase in business: Would you be likely to
hire (circle all that apply):
Please choose all that apply:
Hire new PT worker(s)
Upgrade current PT's to FT's
Hire new FT employee(s)
Other:
Q13: Finally, let's think about what might happen if greater spending by more
people using the Erie Canalway Trail were to increase your annual revenue by 15%?
Would you be:
Please choose only one of the following:
Very likely to hire more employees
Somewhat likely
Not very likely
Not at all likely to hire more employees.
Q14: If there is any possibility that you would hire more employees (an answer of
1, 2 or 3 on Q13 above) based on a 15% increase in business: Would you be likely to
hire (circle all that apply):
Please choose all that apply:
Hire a few PT workers
Upgrade current PT's to FT's
Hire new FT employees
Other:
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Q15: One suggestion on how to better promote and market the Erie Canalway Trail
is to have close coordination between state government agencies, local and county
governments, Chambers of Commerce and local business owners like yourself.
How interested would you be in participating in such a partnership to better
promote the Trail? Would you be:
Please choose only one of the following:
Very interested
Somewhat interested
Not very interested
Not at all interested
Q16: Before the interview, how much would you say you knew about the Erie
Canalway Trail and its users as potential customers? Would you say that you:
Please choose only one of the following:
Knew a lot about the trail
Knew a few things
Knew only a little about the trail
Knew nothing about the trail
Q17: Do you offer shipping services?
Please choose only one of the following:
Yes
No
Q18: What actions have you taken to attract or cater to trail users?
Please write your answer here:
Q19: Do you have any suggestions about how to attract more users to the Erie
Canalway Trail and to business owners in communities along the way?
Please write your answer here:
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Thank you for taking the time to give PTNY your opinions and suggestions! If you would like
more information from PTNY, please contact them at:
Ms. Robin Dropkin or Ms. Frances Gotcsik
Parks & Trails New York
29 Elk Street
Albany, New York 12207
518-434-1583
ptny@ptny.org
Submit your survey.
Thank you for completing this survey.
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
APPENDIX E: VERBATIM COMMENTS OF
LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS ALONG THE
ERIE CANALWAY TRAIL: FALL 2012 SURVEY
Responses to Q6: Why do you feel that the trail had this financial
impact of the Trail on your business? Anything else?
"Probably a certain percentage of our food shoppers are also users of the Erie Trail, but this is
kind of hard to track."
"Some of the bicycles we sell are used on the trail, plus probably some of the cycling clothing
and helmets we sell."
"Sales that are directly related to the Erie Canalway Trail are maybe 2% of our total sales, but
that is still significant. We also get sales from people on the suburban trains and buses in this
city. But it's kind of hard to provide detailed dollar amounts."
"Our guest-timate is that approximately half of our bicycle and jogging related items come from
people who run or cycle along the Erie Trail."
"We seem to be getting more travelers along the trail lately. And many of our local customers
are also users of the trail."
"People come to the trail and have a good time. Many people tend to stay overnight or for
several days and we offer good lodging."
"We have 80 rooms and a restaurant. On nice summer and fall weekends, maybe 11 to 20 of
our rooms are people who are here to enjoy the Erie Canal Trail. But we get the feeling that
more of them come here through our own promotional efforts than what the state is doing .
Promotional efforts have actually gone down under Cuomo."
"We are getting a small but growing source of revenue from the canal and trail. Our location in
Buffalo, only a few blocks from the trail, is one of our strengths."
"We get a few out-of-towners from the trail and probably a lot of our local people use the trail,
but it isn't obvious."
"Why would joggers or bikers on the trail come in to buy our picnic tables or patio furniture?
Why are we in your sample?"
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
"Our trail business picks up each year, especially during the summer, as much as 15% to 20%,
from the Erie Trail. Lots of people fall off their bike or collide with someone else and skin their
knee or elbow. Sometime we get people with broken bones. Frankly we didn't anticipate
something like the trail generating new patients for us, but we are pleased that we can help
these people."
"Only a few get gas from our station because most of them are probably local and don't even
burn a gallon of gas round-trip to get to the trail from home. So we don't really expect much
business from trail people."
"It could be a bigger sales impact, but we don't usually ask customers where they are coming
from. But you can sometimes see an uptick in the summer from trail business."
"We get four or five bikers or runners each month with injuries, mostly minor. This happens
most during the warm summer months."
"The nearby Erie Trail seems to attract fitness enthusiasts and families who usually stop by to
fill up on gas and buy snacks."
"It's hard to measure how many customers are from the trail and you can't ID people just
because they come in wearing bicycling or running clothes."
"We have a restaurant and bar as well as 100 rooms at our hotel. On a typical spring or
summer night we maybe have two or three rooms with trail users -- but this is only during the
warm months."
"When there is a special canal or trail event, we see our business go up by as much as 25% to
50%, but only on the day before, the day after and the day(s) of the special event."
"Regular customers come in and mention that they are getting meds for a canal or trail trip.
And during the busy summer season, maybe a few times a month we get someone from out -
of-town coming into our drugstore from the trail."
"Our business is not related to the trail at all."
"We get 2 or 3 injured or sick trail riders a day during the summer season. Sometimes even
more."
"Maybe $100k-$200k annually from trail users. We would like to attract even more, since we
are only one block from the canal trail."
"Sometimes families or groups of bicyclists who are traveling along the trail come here for
meals or treats after a ride."
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
"We make items and crafts as well as sell them. Our customers tend to be older persons, so
we do get older persons who are traveling along the trail."
"We are mainly a chicken and BBQ place with middle-range prices and great service. We get a
few couples and families in here from the trail. But sometimes it's hard to tell if a customer is
from the trail."
"The Erie Trail is half a mile away, so we don't get much trail business, although we do have
local customers who know us and we know them."
"In the warmer seasons, at least two or three of the rooms in our bed & breakfast are filled with
people bicycling down the trail."
"They have little awareness of our restaurant, since we are not located right on the canal (the
canal and trail are 1.5 blocks away)."
"We are too far away from the canal and canal trail."
"Year-round we get the local bicyclists who are out on the trail, plus in the summer we get
some long distance cyclists from the trail."
"A few trail users ask to park their car or truck at our station."
"There are a lot of bicycle riders in the Pittsford area. They make up at least 33% of our
customers, but most are just local families who come in here."
"People who come in from the trail are easy to spot by their exercise outfits. We get some, but
we could sure use more."
"In the warm summer months, we get maybe 5 to 10 calls a week for our cabs to pick people
up or leave them off along the trail."
"We get our regular local customers, not people from the trail, although some of them might go
on the trail. Our repair services are mainly for local residents."
"We can tell they are from the trail because they are wearing jogging or bicycling shoes or
clothing."
"During the busy season (May until September) our bike shops sells about 15 to 20 new bikes
each week -- about half are bought by people who are repeat customers, the other half to new
customers. Maybe some of them got to know u s when they pedaled along the Erie Trail."
"People from the trail use the canal and vice versa."
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
"We are two blocks from the trail and get trail people just about every day. And they spend
pretty good too. How about helping us get more!"
"Trail users probably buy at least 50% of the new bikes we sell here, but many of them
become trail users only after they buy their new bikes."
"We get a few bicycle guys in here after their ride. They are all thirsty for a cold beer. But we
don't get much else from the trail."
"Our restaurant caters almost entirely to Erie Trail users."
"Trail users come here to fulfill their big appetites after a long ride along the trail."
"People are curious about all the historical sites."
"People on the trail use all kinds of sporting equipment to hike, bike, ski and snowmobile and
we carry all kinds of sporting equipment for them."
"Every summer we see people from all parts of the country. We also see quite a few foreign
visitors too."
"We have six rooms. Most nights we fill about four. Overall, we get about 10% to 15% of our
business from trail users."
"Vacationers, business men and women, families, bikers, etc. A wide diversity of people travel
through our town and stop in to eat. Canajoharie is in the middle of the trail. They travel the
trail both ways."
"People living and traveling along the trail make up most of my business, so the trail is very
important. But this year our business has been particularly hard-hit. So it must be the
recession and people cutting back on both vacations and recreation."
"People who stay at our bed & breakfast are almost always people who first saw us during a
earlier trip passing along the trail or canal."
"We are a close walking distance from the trail and so we get at least a few trail users most
days."
"Approximately 15% to 20% of the visitors to our B&B come from the Erie Canalway Trail. So
the trail has a fairly big $$ impact on our place."
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Responses to Q8: Why do you feel that way about current efforts
to promote more usage of the Erie Canalway Trail? Do you have
any specific examples?
"There are special trail events in our area of New York State"
"I don't see much promotion of the trail. Am I looking in the wrong media?"
"It's hard to measure quantitatively, but it is my definite impression that trail traffic is increasing.
We are getting more inquiries."
"Where are the ads on tv, radio or in the newspapers? We don't see much of anything here in
the Syracuse area."
"Folks just come in and tell us about biking the trail."
"Everybody is after tourist dollars these days so the competition is great. And recreation is
supposed to solve our health problems. So there needs to be more trail promotion."
"I feel the efforts to promote the trail are superb, at least here. I saw a co uple ads on TV
encouraging families to use the trail for their summer vacations."
"We do more to promote the trail locally than the state does. This has NOT improved under
Cuomo. Bring back Pataki!"
"Maybe we don't see much promotion of the trail because we haven't looked for the ads, but
we will certainly look more closely now."
"Heard about the recent break in the canal and its impacts on trail traffic. But we haven't heard
much else."
"Business has been up each year along the canal. So that's good ne ws."
"There are many places here in Brockport that have travel brochures and fliers, but I never see
any for the Erie Trail."
"I think they have signs and brochures about the trail, but I am not sure."
"Our walk-in clinic could be getting even more business from the trail, IF the trail people would
do a better job to promote it."
"The state has to get itself organized and make an effort to improve the trail and then use
mass media as much as possible to reach not only existing users but new trail users too."
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
"We have been here 15 years and I haven't seen much of an uptick. But maybe other portions
of the trail are more heavily marketed."
"We don't expect much business from people along the trail, but we would like to get more
than we are right now. I don't think there will be any sudden surges, though."
"Based on personal experience after 7 years at this location, I don't see much promotion of the
trail. But I can think of a number of good solutions myself."
"We hear that trail traffic is up 10% to 15% here in Newark, but is this coming from more
promotion? I don't really know much about the promotional efforts. Are there any?"
"I have been out on the trail myself, but I hardly see any advertising or even new signs."
"Our ACC (ambulatory care center) was not started with the trail segment in mind, but our
location means that we get them and now they are an important and growing part of our
business."
"The numbers are increasing, but with 19 million people living in New York State, we should be
able to get a lot more business from a lot more trail users."
"We don't see much of what they do and it is kind of hard to prove that what they do pushes
specific kinds of people in the door."
"Our business from the trail has actually been up 10% to 15% in the last couple of years, even
with the Obama Disaster. Without the Obama Disaster, our business from the trail would
probably be great."
"No changes, year to year."
"Because travel volume on the trail seems to be increasing, although we don't have exact
figures. Show us the money!"
"We put together "boater bags" which are given to all boats who stay overnight. There is also
growing awareness that it's worth tying up at the docks in our town."
"Informing the public about the canal and canal trail."
"These are just my own impressions, but a lot more could be done to promote the trail, both
locally and to visitors from afar."
"I seldom see any literature or commercials on the radio about the Erie Canalway Trail."
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
"Everyone know where the trail is. The signs are ok, although more and better signs are
needed. And traveling the trail is quite safe. But it needs more promotion, both from the state
and from counties."
"Like I said before, we could use more customers from the trail."
"There seems to be a bit more growth in people on the trail here, but its spotty and
inconsistent. More bucks need to be spent to get the word out."
"We don't see any publicity about the Erie Trail."
"We haven't seen much of an uptick in spending by trail people, but that's not necessarily bad -
- we have always depended on loyal local customers."
"Our numbers are up a bit, but the folks in Albany need to do a lot more."
"They do come in the door, but not often enough."
"We are doing ok here, but the state and county folks need to do a lot more to promote the
trail. How about the winter season? Why stop promoting in the winter? For much of the winter
the trail is clear of snow. And when there is snow, there are snow mobilers and cross -country
skiers."
"We don't see too many people from the trail in our business, at least not that we can tell. They
don't always dress differently or make it obvious that they are on the trail."
"I think that the state agencies could advertise more on how the Trail can provide wholesome,
inexpensive fun for families."
"I think the agencies need to up the ante in their efforts to get more New Yorkers and visitors
from out of state on the trail and physically active. It is good for everyone."
"I have tried for two years to get the NYS Thruway Authority to post signs to the trail at exits 45
and 46 -- but to no avail. When are they going to get their act together? The trail in the
Rochester area has so much to offer."
"Our trail business has increased fairly steadily over the past 5 years, so their p romotions must
be working at least a little. How about even more!"
"We are a member of the local Chamber of Commerce and have personally petitioned the
state government on several occasions to increase Thruway spending to promote the trail.
What the heck are they waiting for?!"
"Have tried to generate local interest in the past. But have found local governments and
business groups unhelpful and abrasive."
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
"We worked with the Chamber of Commerce for years. While they do advertise, their
messages are just not jumping out at potential tourists. They need to do a more profes-sional
job of advertising."
"The Trail will be featured in this coming year's county tourism brochure."
"Because our business from trail travelers has been going up during the past few summers, we
assume that the promotion folks are getting better at their job."
Responses to Q18: What actions have you taken to attract or
cater to trail users?
"Co-sponsor a couple local fitness events on the trail. With all the concerns about the fitness of
Americans, fitness should be the major point to drive home about the trail."
"Offer discounts on a few items or activities."
"Trail traffic will probably never be more than a few percentage points of our total revenue, but
that would still be significant."
"Move the trail closer to our movie complexes!"
"Offer better bicycles and accessories."
"We are one of several local businesses that sign up to help keep the trail cleaner in the
summer."
"We are a nation chain so it is very easy for us to cate r to trail users. We provide high quality
lodging at an affordable price. We attract families to the trail."
"They can store their bikes and other gear in their rooms, no problem. We encourage them to
make our hotel their base of operations. And we always give them a hearty breakfast too."
"The Trail Book should have listings for EVERY medi-center along the 300+ miles, with or
without display ads. Knowing where the medicenters are given them confidence to make
longer trips on the trail."
"No special actions."
"We keep our place open 15 hours a day, no appointment necessary, even on weekends."
"Just by word of mouth. I am too busy running my station to have the time to do marketing
too."
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
"Nothing really. But hopefully by word of mouth. Plus you can see our restaurant from the trail,
which should be a big advantage."
"We will take out a display ad in the next issue of PTNY's Cycling Guide Book."
"We just give them a great meal and great service, like all of our other customers. Then hope
that word of mouth spreads everywhere."
"Put our hotel flier and photos in brochures at the county tourism center."
"We offer free milk shakes and cones on weekends."
"Just make sure that our pharmacy is within half a block of the trail! We haven't had to move it
yet!"
"Mention the trail in the brochure we give to all new and prospective patients."
"We have added more sports drinks and candy bars. And we have also cut way back on
cigarette sales."
"If you could guarantee 15% more in dollars to us, we will figure out all kinds of exciting
promotions for folks on the Erie Trail."
"Offer more items that have the trail name on them for out-of-staters."
"We named a couple items on our menu on the canal and trail."
"Nothing really. How about NYS showing us the added business first."
"We often ship home items that our guests purchase on their vacations. But that service is not
specifically for just trail users."
"We have placed advertisements on boater bags which are given to all boats that stay
overnight in our town, including discounts on meals."
"Put small display ads in local restaurant menus. Sponsor a couple trail rides along with the
local bicycle club."
"We let them park for free at our gas station. But if I get a lot of them, I will have to start
charging for parking."
"I suppose we could start shipping parts to a bicycle customer who breaks down somewhere
along the trail."
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
"Keep our prices down and sell stuff with the name of our village on them. Tourists like stuff
with town names on them."
"We have our telephone on posts and signs on the trail."
"Nothing special, but we get marketing plans from our company's owners."
"We give out free maps of the trail to those who want them. That is pretty popular."
"We stock more energy foods and drinks. We also stock first aid supplies in small packs that
make them easy to carry on bicycles."
"Our shop area is kind of small, so a 15% increase in business would really stretch us. We
might have to add more space."
"Nothing -- you got any ideas?"
"We set up a stall during the Fourth of July Festival in downtown Albany to advertise our
restaurant."
"We joined all the various trail organizations and went on their website for more visibility. We
also started offering storage of transportation gear and a boat dock."
"Billboards. We also talked more with trail users, advertised in fliers and also boosted word of
mouth."
"We are advertising, but only locally."
"We are a married couple with a bed & breakfast, so we don't have a lot of bucks for marketing
and promotion. But we always take out local ads."
"Have worked with local Chambers of Commerce and other business groups (mainly B&Bs) to
promote our business. Help!"
"We have put up additional signs in town to attract visitors and advertised in local events
(plays, music festivals, etc)."
"Local advertising and collaborating with other businesses, for instance during biking weekend,
to generate more traffic."
"We are stocking more books about the trail and more trail souvenirs."
"A 15% increase would be hard for us to handle with only 4 rooms. We might be able to add
just one more room."
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
Responses to Q19: Do you have any suggestions about how to
attract more users to the Erie Canalway Trail and to business
owners in communities along the way?
"If trail traffic were actually able to boost our sales by 15%, we would have to hire a lot more
people."
"Get more local businesses to tie into the trail. We are a national retailer. I think we read
something recently about a campaign to boost business along the Erie Canalway Tra il."
"Finish modernizing the trail -- paving, lighting, signs, etc. Do it the entire length of the trail --
from Buffalo to Albany."
"Give all local merchants a copy of the PTNY Cycling the Trail Guidebook."
"Encourage more local businesses like ours to advertise in your trail book & map.
"Come up with an advertising budget and then find a good advertising agency. Do a real
professional job of promoting the trail. And bring back Gov. Pataki!"
"Our medi-center staff could put on fitness clinics for local runners and bicyclists."
"Offer annual Trail Days."
"Don't pave the trail so we get more running and bicycling injuries. Hey, just kidding!"
"Put up bigger and better signs where the trail starts and ends and to announce each sector of
the trail. Encourage non-profits to use the trail for big annual fund raisers."
"Convince vacationers to save money by keeping their vacations within New York State."
"Add more attractive and more numerous trail signs."
"Hold special events along the trail for local families that end up at our restaurant."
"Pave the rest of the canal trail and get it off the highways. Develop more attractive signs and
maps along the way."
"Better signs, better parks and more lights along the trail."
"Run PSAs on every television station in the State of New York."
"Bigger signs and parking lots and pave ALL of the trail."
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
"Host a couple annual races on the trail for bike riders and runners."
"We are not marketing experts. We need professional help."
"Make the trail wider so more people can use it. And come up with some better signs. Some
people don't even recognize the signs or Trail."
"Hold meetings or focus groups with the owners of local businesses along the trail."
"Use TV commercials more, both in neighboring states and across New York State."
"Hold more special annual events."
"Take it more seriously. Bicycling will grow because people need to be more active. Because
we can't afford the skyrocketing rates of Diabetes, obesity and other diseases."
"How about more & better signs?"
"Anything that grows bicycling and running is going to bring more people to the Erie Trail -- and
hopefully to us."
"If trail traffic could boost our business by 10% to 15%, we would have to put two or three more
cabs on the road. And that means more jobs!"
"Better lighting and signage."
"Pave every mile of the trail."
"More of the trail should be paved. And the signs, which are now kind of unattractive, should
feature a new design."
"Offer tourists a list or directory of every store in each community along the trail. These should
be given free to every trail users who wants one."
"Sign up all new bike purchasers for a trail database and then send them a lot of free maps,
brochures and coupons."
"Move the Erie Trail closer to our bar!"
"Add more recreational activities and clubs to lure more people and make them feel safe using
the trail."
"Close the gaps in the canal trail. They say that the return on investment would be at least 10
fold. Add services for boaters. Add more amenities and local grocery stores."
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The Economic Impact of the Erie Canalway Trail
"You need our agency and the State of New York to start an initiative to improve and make the
trail more beautiful and safe."
"We need more signs along the Thruway announcing various sections and activities along the
length of the canal trail."
"PTNY should come and meet with travel & tourism people here in Orleans County."
"More emphasis by state agencies to attract drivers on the Thruway to local businesses and
events along the trail."
"If the town or village government has little incentive to boost local businesses, there isn't
much anybody but the state can do about it."
"NYS needs to give more funding to upstate New York, including the trail and to various events
along the trail."
"Advertise to more potential vacationers in neighboring states. Then add better signs and
parking for local trail users. Both steps will boost the number of users."
"Set up local and regional advisory boards who members should meet two or three times every
year. And take their advise seriously."
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APPENDIX F: VERBATIM COMMENTS OF
TRAVEL AND TOURISM OFFICIALS: FALL
2012 SURVEY
Below are some of the verbatim comments of T&T officials whom Dr. Scipione interviewed by
telephone:
"We mainly cover events and venues on the Niagara Frontier (Niagara Falls and Buffalo), but
the Erie Canal Trail is a unique attraction that we would like to market more. Not so much for
local people, many of whom already walk, bike or hike the trail, but more so for bicycle tourists
and people who are interested in the h istory of the Erie Canal."
"A few years ago we put together a little brochure with photos and the history of the local locks
along the canal and it was a big hit. We were only going to print a thousand but we had to triple
the print run. Maybe we should run it again next summer."
"We learned all about the Erie Canal when I was growing up in Pittsford. And now I am partly
responsible for showcasing the canal and canal trail. We would sure welcome more help from
Albany."
"Our county legislature is considering doubling the size of a picnic area along the trail, which
would include doubling the number of parking spaces, adding modern lighting and sanitary
facilities, and putting up more signs directing people to the expanded park. We think that park
would be great for us. But we are going to need money from the state government. Maybe
Governor Cuomo will read your report. Sure hope so."
"If your survey report shows that users of the canalway trail are spending a lot of money in our
towns, maybe that would convince local merchants to wake up and form a group to fund more
promotion of the canal and trail. Because right now I am not sure they take them seriously."
"The summer bicycle tour from Buffalo to Albany seems to be growing bigger every year. That's
good. But what about the day-to-day trail use during the rest of the year? Your numbers and
statistics will be very important to us.”
"We need a real partnership between the counties and cities and Albany. The trail is a little gem
that could really bring a lot more people to New York State. But you have to make the investment
to do it."
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APPENDIX G: BIBLIOGRAPHY
Alta Planning & Design and the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Pedestrian and
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