Legislation
SECTION 39.01
Legislative findings and intent
Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (PAR) CHAPTER 36-B, TITLE G, ARTICLE 39
§ 39.01 Legislative findings and intent. The Niagara River corridor is
of unique ecological, cultural and economic importance to western New
York connecting Lake Erie and Lake Ontario communities and ecologies.
This corridor has played an important role in the history of the Niagara
Frontier and it can and should continue to define the western New York
experience into the twenty-first century. Niagara Falls is a National
Natural Landmark under state stewardship for more than a century that
draws more than fourteen million visitors from throughout the world to
the region each year. The cities of Niagara Falls and Buffalo are at the
heart of the river corridor where much of their waterfront has in the
past been dedicated to industrial uses. During the last few decades
those uses have begun to wane and there is now an opportunity to
redefine the waterfront in a way that creates a balance of economic
interests with a welcoming waterfront environment. For more than a
century there have been those who have expressed a vision for the
Niagara river corridor of a necklace of open space and conservation
areas spread along the river. With many areas no longer being used for
heavy industry it is now time to complete that vision. Many areas have
established parks along the corridor including eleven state parks and
fourteen local parks. New York state's only National Scenic Byway, the
Seaway Trail, runs through the entire corridor. It is the intent of the
legislature to establish the Niagara river greenway commission as a
cooperative regional organization established to work with participating
state agencies, municipalities, organizations and residents in order to
implement or cause to be implemented a linear system of parks and
conservation areas that will, consistent with the purpose of the
commission as set forth in this article, redefine the Niagara riverfront
by increasing landside access to the river; creating complementary
access to the greenway from the river; augmenting economic
revitalization efforts, and celebrating the region's industrial
heritage.
of unique ecological, cultural and economic importance to western New
York connecting Lake Erie and Lake Ontario communities and ecologies.
This corridor has played an important role in the history of the Niagara
Frontier and it can and should continue to define the western New York
experience into the twenty-first century. Niagara Falls is a National
Natural Landmark under state stewardship for more than a century that
draws more than fourteen million visitors from throughout the world to
the region each year. The cities of Niagara Falls and Buffalo are at the
heart of the river corridor where much of their waterfront has in the
past been dedicated to industrial uses. During the last few decades
those uses have begun to wane and there is now an opportunity to
redefine the waterfront in a way that creates a balance of economic
interests with a welcoming waterfront environment. For more than a
century there have been those who have expressed a vision for the
Niagara river corridor of a necklace of open space and conservation
areas spread along the river. With many areas no longer being used for
heavy industry it is now time to complete that vision. Many areas have
established parks along the corridor including eleven state parks and
fourteen local parks. New York state's only National Scenic Byway, the
Seaway Trail, runs through the entire corridor. It is the intent of the
legislature to establish the Niagara river greenway commission as a
cooperative regional organization established to work with participating
state agencies, municipalities, organizations and residents in order to
implement or cause to be implemented a linear system of parks and
conservation areas that will, consistent with the purpose of the
commission as set forth in this article, redefine the Niagara riverfront
by increasing landside access to the river; creating complementary
access to the greenway from the river; augmenting economic
revitalization efforts, and celebrating the region's industrial
heritage.