Niagara County, N.Y. — The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation announced a $6.5 million grant Tuesday to expand the Empire State Trail in Western New York.

"We're going to be building or improving more than 20 miles of new off-road bicycle and pedestrian trails here in the region," said Andy Beers,  director of the Empire State Trail.

The grant will also fund amenities for users along the 90 miles of trail between Buffalo and Rochester and establish "gateways" or trail heads in Buffalo, Lockport, Tonawanda and Rochester.

"Their contribution will also finally connect the shoreline trail with Tonawanda and the city of Niagara Falls," said NYS Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey.

The final section of the project is reconstruction of historic stairways and trails at Devil's Hole State Park, along the Niagara River gorge.

The $6.5 million grant has leveraged $16.5 million in funding from the state.

David Enger, president and CEO of the Wilson Foundation, says they selected this project because Ralph loved exercise and connecting people.

"Trails allow people to connect on mutual terms. Our trail system can be the most diverse place in terms of assets in the region, and in terms of people that are on the trails," Enger said.

The entire Empire State Trail, from Buffalo to New York City, is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2020.