OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg, Heuvelton and other communities want public input on a proposed Blueway trail for the Oswegatchie River corridor.

Ogdensburg City Planner Andrea Smith says the study will help identify strategies for economic development and sustainable tourism through recreational access to the Oswegatchie River and other recreation resources along the river corridor.

“We want this plan to help us bring more tourists and visitors to the Oswegatchie River to appreciate its unique character and enjoy activities in and near the river,” Village of Heuvelton Mayor Barbara Lashua said. “This will help our communities grow jobs for local residents and encourage entrepreneurs to establish new businesses in the recreation and tourism industries.”

A marketing strategy, signage and wayfinding program will be among the study’s strategies to increase access to the river and connect visitor amenities, such as lodging, dining and shopping to the river corridor.

The three identical visioning sessions are planned throughout the corridor to encourage as many people as possible to attend any one of the workshops. Residents from any part of the river corridor are welcome to attend any of the meetings. They are being held as follows:

• 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 15, Oswegatchie Town Hall, 51 State St., Heuvelton, NY 13654

• Noon, Thursday, July 16, Harrisville Central School, 14371 Pirate Road , Harrisville, NY 13648

• 4 p.m., Thursday, July 16, Edwards Senior Court Apartments, 16 Trout Lake St., Edwards, NY 13635

The study is funded by the New York State Department of State, Empire State Development Corporation, blueway communities and private contributions.

The City of Ogdensburg is the lead community for the grants and the project is being developed with the participation of a steering committee comprised of river corridor community members. All of the communities in the corridor are invited to participate on the steering committee.

The three workshops are part of a broad public input program for the Oswegatchie River blueway trail developed by the project consultant, Peter J. Smith and Co. of Buffalo.

In addition to the steering committee and the July workshops, a public survey will be announced later in the summer.

Two more rounds of three meetings will be conducted to continue to gather the public’s ideas and inspirations for the blueway. These will be held in September and November.

The public visioning workshops are free and open to the public and the public is encouraged to participate.