Published: August 23, 2006 03:22 pm      

NT looks to add trails

HEALTHY TRAILS: Officials support more bike paths in North Tonawanda

If city officials get their way in North Tonawanda, walkers and bicyclists would swarm the city.

A 5,000-ft. extension linking an existing pathway in Gratwick Park to Fisherman’s Park along River Road was completed in the past month. North Tonawanda Common Council President Brett Sommer is now clamoring for three particular paved city paths.

One path would follow railroad tracks from the Wurlitzer building to the Erie Canal waterfront. Another path would follow power lines from Mayor’s Park to Wheatfield.

Sommer also supports the creation of a bike path along Sweeney Street, which has sparked some debate among city officials.

North Tonawanda City Engineer Dale Marshall and Mayor Larry Soos both have said recently that a Sweeney Street path would be too costly.

“We need more opportunities for people who live inland in North Tonawanda to get better access to the waterfront,” Sommer said.

Soos sees the benefits of bike paths, as well.

“It’s a form of entertainment for people who don’t have a lot of money,” Soos said. “People are also going to use it for the health benefits.”

Sommer has tried to contact North Tonawanda Waterfront Commission member Jim Mroz about getting the bike paths onto the Niagara River Greenway plan for the city, he said.

Mroz included two of the paths after he talked to Sommer weeks ago, he said.

“About 90 percent of all ideas proposed to the committee were interjected in the plan,” Mroz said.

Mroz did not include the Sweeney Street path in the plan because it’s not economically feasible, he said. Mroz believes more information will be known about the overall direction of the Greenway plan by the end of next week.

The recent River Road extension cost $180,000, with the city covering half the cost and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation covering the other half.

City officials hope to connect Fisherman’s Park with Gateway Harbor and the City of Tonawanda. The entire project would involve linking North Tonawanda to other municipalities, such as Niagara Falls and Lockport.

“I’d like to see the paths connect all the way out to Youngstown,” Soos said. “It would be a nice day trip.”

Contact Phil Dzikiy at 693-1000, Ext. 114.