A new community bike and footpath officially opened in Tonawada, Monday. Elected officials and local leaders took part in a ribbon cutting celebration of the Sherwood Greenway Trail.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz says the new two-mile Greenway Trail, located near to Praxair Incorporated, connects the Two Mile Creek Trail in Sheridan Park with the Buffalo Riverwalk, linking multiple communities to the Niagara River waterfront.
“It’s just a continuation of the work we’ve been doing to create more sustainable communities and you create sustainable communities by giving people the ability to travel across them not just by car, but other methods. Here’s a perfect example of that. People can enjoy this for recreation, but I wouldn’t be surprised if individuals used this bike trail somtimes to ride to work,” said Poloncarz.
The project totaled $1.045 million and was funded through federal, state, county and town resources. The trail was completed as part of $3.8 million in improvements to Sheridan Drive.
Tonawanda Supervisor Anthony Caruana says he believes the bike path will enhance the quality of life for people in the area.
“All partners from federal, state, county and town community, and bsuness leaders came together to bring the town’s vision of multi-modal access route to our evolving waterfront to reality… It gives our local residents and our workers in this area the opportunity to enjoy that as well,” said Caruana.
Senator Mark Grisanti says he believes improving access to the waterfront for the people of western New York is crucial.
“The completion of the Sherwood Greenway Trail represents a victory for those who want to walk or bike along the Niagara River. We have seen some great teamwork on this project and the end result is improved waterfront access in the Town of Tonawanda," said Grisanti.
The trail will be maintained by Erie County and the Town of Tonawada. Caruana says it will be used in the Ride for Roswell fundraiser set to take place this weekend.