LAKES TO LOCKS PASSAGE CHARACTERISTICS

Features the interconnected waterway consisting of the Upper Hudson River/Champlain Canal, Lake George, Lake Champlain, and the Richelieu River/Chambly Canal.

• Respects the individuality of the sub-regions of Lakes to Locks Passage --  Champlain Canal, Lake George, Lake Champlain and the Montérégie -- and celebrates the heritage of all the residents.
• Unifies the region through an interpretive theme: The Four Lives of Lakes to Locks Passage.
• Utilizes multi-modal transportation (bike, boat, walk, rail, and auto) to facilitate an authentic experience and longer stay in the region.
• Promotes Waypoint Communities to “meet and greet” the visitor.
• Provides theme-based experiences to link the stories to be found in the communities and sites to visit.
• Markets Lakes to Locks Passage to a target audience interested in historic anniversaries, active vacations and authentic experiences.

LAKES TO LOCKS PASSAGE VISION STATEMENT

Through the partnership of public, private and non-profit organizations, the scenic, historic, natural, cultural, recreational, and working landscape resources of Lakes to Locks Passage are managed in balance with economic development and tourism promotion. Implementation of the Byway Corridor Management Plan has shown the world that the region possesses the character of multiple regions that are unified by a shared heritage, and provides a quality of life for its residents, and an experience for its visitors, that is surpassed by none.

LAKES TO LOCKS PASSAGE, INC. MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Lakes to Locks Passage, Inc. is to further the appreciation, recognition, stewardship and revitalization of the natural, cultural, recreational and historic assets of the communities along the interconnected waterway of the upper Hudson River/Champlain Canal, Lake George, Lake Champlain, Chambly Canal and Richelieu River.

PURPOSE OF LAKES TO LOCKS PASSAGE, INC.

Lakes to Locks Passage, Inc. was established to:

• Foster knowledge, research and investigation of the history and heritage of the interconnected waterway now known as Lakes to Locks Passage.
• Foster the public's awareness of the interconnected waterway now known as Lakes to Locks Passage, and its importance in local and national history.
• Foster recognition, appreciation and preservation by others of resources and artifacts of the interconnected waterway now known as Lakes to Locks Passage.
• Foster the regional partnerships of public, private and non-profit organizations to steward the scenic, historic, natural, cultural, recreational, and working landscape for the interconnected waterway now known as Lakes to Locks Passage.
• Provide information regarding the interconnected waterway now known as Lakes to Locks Passage.
• Plan, develop, organize, prepare, maintain and publicize events and programs related to the interconnected waterway now known as Lakes to Locks Passage.
• Promote an awareness of local history and the significance of the interconnected waterway now known as Lakes to Locks Passage to the local community and to the many tourists who visit the area each year.
• Provide an organization to coordinate the activities of people who are interested in fostering national and international recognition for the resources and activities of the interconnected waterway now known as Lakes to Locks Passage.
• Seek grants, donations and contributions for the above charitable purposes.
• Provide support and technical assistance to communities and organizations to implement community revitalization and quality-of-life initiatives along the corridor for Lakes to Locks Passage.

Click here to download Fact Sheet.

Click here to download 2006 Annual Report 

THE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE

Leadership for the Byway activities is guided by the non-profit organization Lakes to Locks Passage, Inc. The Board of Directors is composed of fifteen members with five officers. Two staff members provide outreach to the communities, public agencies and organizations in the region.

Lakes to Locks Passage, Inc. is committed to local control and management of the Byway’s policy, program and product development. The management of Lakes to Locks Passage is through a partnership of four sub-regions – Upper Hudson River/Champlain Canal, Lake George, Lake Champlain in New York, and the Monteregie region of Quebec.

In New York, each region supports a Local Action Committee that provides the forum for stakeholders to network and implement the actions defined in the Byway’s Corridor Management Plan. Public agencies serve an advisory role to the organization and Local Action Committees to ensure coordination with regional state and national programs.

Current activities Lakes to Locks Passage Inc. include:

• Planning and implementation of the Byway’s Corridor Management Plan
• Establishment of a locally managed heritage tourism corridor from Waterford, NY to Quebec.
• Coordination of tourism initiatives into one package providing a "seamless experience" to the visitor.
• Unified visitor information for signage, mapping & interpretive materials.
• Education and training for resource management.
• Establishment of Waypoint Communities to meet and greet visitors
• Interpretive theme routes for biking, walking & boating through the region.
• National and international branding and marketing strategies as part of the America’s Byways collection.

2007 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Howard Lowe, Clinton County

1st Vice-President:  George Hodgson, Saratoga County

2nd Vice-President: Peter Repas, At-Large

Secretary: Laura Moore, Warren County

Treasurer:  William Johnston, Essex County

Randy Beach, Clinton County

Robert Blais, Mayor, At-Large

Lou Bresee, At-Large

Diane R. Carroll, Essex County

Bruce Ferguson, At-Large

Eileen Hannay, Washington County

Albert Juneau, At-Large

Walter Lender, Warren County

David Mathis, Saratoga County

David Mohn, Washington County

STAFF

Janet Kennedy, Executive Director

Jeanne Williams, Program Coordinator

LAKES TO LOCKS PASSAGE CORRIDOR MANGEMENT PLAN (currently under revision) 

The Lakes to Locks Passage Corridor Management Plan is a strategy to build a “great place to live” as the region’s communities enter the 21st century. Cultural heritage resources, transportation, sustainable economic development, education, recreational opportunities, environmental stewardship and utilization the interconnected waterway are the basis for unifying the region and community revitalization efforts.

Thee local visioning process identified unique qualities and characteristics of each sub-region, the commonalties were used to develop the regional vision, goals and objectives for Lakes to Locks Passage. The Lakes to Locks Passage Corridor Management Plan embraces numerous actions to fulfill the vision, goals and objectives. These actions have been identified by state and municipal interests, civic and non-profit organizations, as well as individual and private sector business groups. The details to these actions, including responsible party, previous work, budget and estimated completion date, are described in the County components to the Corridor Management Plan. The Lakes to Locks Passage Corridor Management Plan:

• Defines the regional Vision, Goals and Objectives
• Identifies the natural, cultural, recreational, historic and working landscape resources
• Defines the sub-regional structure to unify the region
• Provides the structure for multi-modal transportation of the Byway -- boat, bike, walk, rail, auto
• Identifies Waypoint Communities with thematic heritage centers for a “seamless” visitor experience
• Focus is on the communities and resources of the interconnected waterway, with access between the water and land resources
• Supports the implementation of New York State’s goals for waterfront revitalization, quality communities and interagency coordination
• Supports the implementation of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Management Plan
• Sub-regional plans identify actions for improvements to transportation, economic development, education, recreation, tourism, public places, the environment and waterfront

Click here to download Goals and Objectives

LAKES TO LOCKS PASSAGE VISITOR INFORMATION & INTERPRETATION PLAN

• Defines interpretive story through regional theme -- Four Lives of Lakes to Locks Passage
• Defines themes for Waypoint Communities and experiential tourism products
• Establishes a hierarchy for visitor information and interpretation, graphic design standards to “brand” the region, templates for signs, brochures and guidebooks
• Coordinates interpretive programs of partners

Click here to download draft Visitor Information & Interpretation Plan

LAKES TO LOCKS PASSAGE MARKETING PLAN

• Focus on the interconnected waterway -- an under-promoted resource
• Build regional identity for location, qualities and experiences
• Target national and international audiences
• Feature historic commemorations (French & Indian War, Hudson/Champlain explorations, War of 1812)
• Improve infrastructure, programs and products for “experiential” tourism

Click here to download Marketing Strategy