This Passport: Revised April 17, 2019 EAM #233232 Helping create healthier, better neighborhoods Explore the Niagara River Greenway Welcome to your healthier, better life! Here’s how to record trail visits in your Wegmans Hit the Trail Passport! Since 2005, Wegmans has partnered with town and city recreation programs and park conservancy • Record the date you visit each trail on the groups to encourage folks to take advantage of their corresponding pages of your booklet. community’s trails. It’s part of our commitment to helping our customers enjoy a healthier, better life • Take and share pictures of your Niagara River through great food and healthy activity. Your FREE Greenway adventure! Wegmans Hit The Trail Passport will make getting active even more fun. Your Wegmans Passport details the locations, terrain, and duration of various trails in your area. You’re sure to find trails that match your interest and activity level. So, browse your passport, grab a buddy, and hit the trail for a healthier, better life! Here’s how it works: • Hit the trail with your passport. • Mark the dates of your visits right in your passport. This passport belongs to: Name Address Happy trails to you from your local Wegmans! Phone/email 4/19 155617EB Explore the Niagara River Greenway! The Niagara River Greenway connects waterfront greenspaces from Lake Erie to Ontario along the Niagara River including the creeks and streams that flow through WNY neighborhoods and into the mighty Niagara River. We are approaching our goal of having 37 miles of continuous multi use trails along the River and will continue to work on connecting walking and biking trails from neighborhoods in response to interest from local communities. We’ve put together 5 walks and 5 bike rides intended to be an easy starting point for exploring what our Niagara region has to offer- fun for everyone! These are short loops that take 1-2 hours, but can easily be expanded for a day long adventure. Once you get out there, you will see that there is a lot more walking and riding available to do in our Region, in New York State and internationally. Get out to explore and let us know what you find! Greg Stevens, Executive Director 1 2 Tifft Nature Preserve Location: 1200 Fuhrmann Boulevard, Buffalo, NY 14203. Gravel Parking lot. Distance: 5 miles total, shorter loops vary Difficulty: easy on flat grass or boardwalk trails. Year Round. Features: 264 acres of restored habitat with five miles of trails and boardwalks! Important Bird Area, wetland habitat, environmental education center, guided tours, wildlife. Before you leave, cross the street and visit Buffalo Harbor State Park for picnic areas and a playground, to watch kite surfers on Lake Erie and unparalleled views of sunset! Visit online for a schedule of events and group walks https://www.tifft.org/ 3 4 Bird Island Pier Location: Broderick Park, 1170 Niagara St, Buffalo, NY 14213 at the foot of W. Ferry St. Paved Parking lot and comfort station (summer only) Distance: Out and back 2.5 miles Difficulty: Easy on flat pavement. Best use May - November. Features: Barrier between Niagara River and Black Rock Canal. Get close to the rushing Niagara River and enjoy views of Niagara River and Lake Erie. For even more fun, travel North from Broderick Park and explore Unity Island for fishing, more trails and a look at a Black Rock Canal Lock! 5 6 Buckhorn Island State Park Location: Park on East-West Park Rd, Grand Island. GPS Coordinates 43.057356, -78.970776 *Note that there are no restrooms in this park* Distance: 2 miles one way Difficulty: Easy on flat grass or dirt trails. Year Round. Features: 895 acres of marsh, meadows and woods on the Niagara River. With ongoing restoration of the eco- system there are opportunities for viewing wildlife and views of the Niagara River. 7 8 Art Park Gorge Trail Location: 450 S 4th St, Lewiston, NY 14092. Park at the end of Portage Road. Distance: 1.5 miles out and back Difficulty: easy-moderate. Best use May- November. Features: Gorge Rim trail, views of the Lower Niagara River. This is one of eight well marked trails in the Niagara Gorge system. For a longer hike, pick up the other gorge trails and keep exploring! Visit Niagara Region State Parks online for a complete Gorge Trail System Map 9 10 Stella Niagara Preserve Location: Lower River Road. Parking: Lewiston Town Park, cross the street to enter Stella Niagara Preserve. Difficulty: Easy. Grass paths, hills. Year Round. Features: Experience a variety of habitats including a riparian zone, a large meadow, a forested area, and vernal pools along the Niagara River. Nature paths, kayak launch, wildlife viewing. While you’re there, connect to Joseph Davis State Park a mile up the road for birding, more nature paths and disc golf! Visit the Western New York Land Conservancy online at www.wnylc.org 11 Walking Tips Dress in Layers – The weather and even your own body temperature can fluctuate as you walk or hike. Layering allows you to comfortably add or remove clothing as needed during your activity. Stay Hydrated – If you plan to be active for an hour or less, plain water is typically the best option to keep you hydrated. If your activity will last for more than 1 hour (or the outside temperature is high) a sports drink, juice or milk provide important nutrients and electrolytes to prevent dehydration. Pack a Snack – Keeping a healthy snack on hand is a good idea just in case your walk goes a little longer than planned. Snacks that travel well include an apple, banana, granola bar or small snack bag filled with nuts, trail mix or pretzels. Wear Sunscreen – Anytime you are out in the sun no matter what time of year it is, it is important to protect your skin by wearing sunscreen. Bring a Buddy – Having someone to walk with makes the journey safer and more enjoyable. Good luck on your journey to better health! 12 Smart Biking Basics Hit the trail and be safe with these simple bike safety tips: • Protect your noggin; wear a helmet. • Keep your head up and look ahead, not at the ground. • Be seen and heard. If you need to pass, use your bell, horn or a shout. • If riding in an unfamiliar area, check your map first. • Keep your bike in tip-top shape. Ensure your chain is clean, inspect your brakes, and check your tires for the correct tire pressure. • If riding early in the morning or at dusk, wear bright colors and/or reflective clothing. • Pay attention to others on the trail and enjoy yourself! 13 14 Buffalo Outer Harbor Location: Park at Buffalo Harbor State Park 1111 Fuhrmann Blvd Buffalo, NY 14203 Distance: 3.2 miles one way Difficulty: Easy. Flat bike path. Features: The Outer Harbor offers view of Lake Erie, two nature preserves, a lighthouse and a glimpse at the Industrial History of Buffalo! In the summer, catch the Queen City Ferry across the Buffalo River to Canalside and take the Shoreline Trail north to explore Buffalo’s Waterfront at LaSalle Park and the Riverwalk trail! 15 16 Scajaquada Creek to Unity Island Loop Location: Start from Delaware Park in Buffalo Distance: 4.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate. Parts of route on road. Features: Buffalo Parks were designed to be connected to one another. This loop connects from Olmstead’s Delaware Park to Unity Island along the Scajaquada Creek. Views of the Niagara River, Black Rock Canal and Scajaquada Creek. For a longer ride, take the Shoreline trail south to explore the Niagara River Waterfront to Lake Erie! 17 18 Tonawanda Rails to Trails Location: Parking available at 525 Kenmore Ave, Buffalo or 5-7 State Street, Tonawanda. Distance: 3.9 miles one way Difficulty: Easy. Flat bike path. Features: This old rail corridor connects Tonawanda to the City of Buffalo. For even more riding, use this path to make a loop – take the North Buffalo Rail Trail to connect into Buffalo, or ride North to connect to the Erie Canal and Shoreline trails in Tonawanda! Find this map online at: https://tonawanda.ny.us/departments/ youth-parks-recreation/town-facilities/rails-to-trails 19 20 Grand Island Loop Location: Start in Beaver Island State Park Distance: 15 miles Difficulty: moderate. Long distance with portions on road. Features: Traveling around Grand Island includes Bea- ver Island State Park, and the 8 mile West River Trail along the Niagara River. Plentiful views of the Niagara River. 21 22 Shoreline Trail Lewiston Loop Location: Park in Joseph Davis State Park at 4143 Lower River Road Lewiston, NY 14092 Distance: 6.1 miles Difficulty: Moderate. Parts of route on road. Features: This loop takes you through the Village of Lewiston and along the rim of the Niagara River Gorge. Waterfront views, downtown Lewiston and Joseph Davis State Park. 23 Tips for Fuel on the Trail Short, leisurely walks don’t usually require any fuel besides water and your own two feet! However, if you are planning an activity that is of moderate intensity or that will last more than 45 minutes, packing smart hydration and food choices is a good idea. • Stay hydrated with water (plain or sweetened with fruit) or unsweetened iced tea instead of sugar-sweetened beverages. Freeze a bottle of water the night before your activity: it can be used as an ice pack, and will be ready to drink later in the day! • Consider portable protein choices such as pouched tuna and salmon to support your hard work! Other options that work well are cheese sticks, snack packs of hummus, and grilled chicken strips (keep cool with an ice pack or frozen bottled water).