By now you should all have seen the new interpretive kiosks in Clifton Park.  There is a single Interpretive panel at Historic Clute’s Dry Dock, a three panel kiosk at the entrance to the Vischer Ferry Preserve, and a three panel kiosk at the end of Ferry Drive.  A dedication ceremony is being considered.

The new interpretive sign (left above) at the entrance to the Vischer Ferry Preserve was one of the stops on the Bike The Byway event August 13, 2011.

Meanwhile today Congressman Paul Tonko’s office notified us that we will be receiving a FHWA Byway Grant of $38,000 for additional interpretive signs along the Mohawk Towpath Byway.  With this we will be able to provide additional kiosks to match those we already have in Halfmoon and Clifton Park and to complement the Canal Corporation signs in Waterford and the ones in Cohoes by the Erie Canalway and by the Long Island school kids.   Under our government’s current need to do more for less, we are most grateful for this significant capital project.  Through this project we should also learn how we can be more self sufficient in implementing capital projects in a more self-reliant and sustainable future.

In our grant application we identified several places along the Byway where we need more interpretation.  These are also identified in our Corridor Management Plan (CMP).  These include: 1) Aqueduct Park, Niskayuna, 2) Fort’s Ferry, Clifton Park, 3) Mohawk Landing, Clifton Park, 4) Rexford Aqueduct, Niskayuna & Clifton Park, 5) The Stockade, Schenectady, 6) Original Erie Canal locks in Cohoes.  More thought will be given to these sites and others as we prepare a detailed work plan for the project.