The New York Power Authority (NYPA) and New York State Canal Corporation have announced the launch of a new On the Canals Accessibility Education Program. This new initiative will work to establish exclusive recreational opportunities across the 524-mile New York State Canal System through a collaboration with Rochester Accessible Adventures.

The program will make the canal corridor an inclusive destination for tourism while supporting local economies, said NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll in a prepared statement. Through the education program, efforts will be made to evaluate and improve the access for people with and without disabilities.

“On the Canals,” now in its fifth year, offers a variety of free activities including kayaking, cycling, boat tours, birding, wildlife hikes and painting.

The New York state canal system, which consists of the Erie Canal, the Oswego Canal, the Cayuga-Seneca Canal and the Champlain Canal, connects with the Great Lakes, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, and was designated a national historic landmark in 2016.

The canals have been in continuous operation since 1825 and is the oldest constructed transportation network on the North American continent.

For tour purposes passengers on ships sailing on the Great Lakes can access the New York canal system through Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.

The Oswego Canal connects to Lake Ontario at the Port of Oswego, and the Erie Canal connects to the Niagara River north of Buffalo between Lakes Erie and Ontario.