Canal Clean Sweep
From NY Canals - Guide to New York's Erie, Oswego, Champlain, and Cayuga-Seneca Canal System
The Canal Clean Sweep is an annual spring time event when volunteers across the state combine their efforts to make the canal a little bit cleaner.
[edit] CANAL CORPORATION SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR SECOND ANNUAL “CANAL CLEAN SWEEP”
February 28th, 2008
Weekend Event Will Encourage Community Cleanup Activities Along Canal System
In preparation for the upcoming 182nd consecutive navigation season on the New York State Canal System and Earth Day 2007, the New York State Canal Corporation, in partnership with Parks & Trails NY, today announced that it is seeking volunteers for the Second Annual Canal Clean Sweep to take place during the weekend of April 21 and 22, 2007.
The Canal Clean Sweep will help highlight the significance of the Canal System as a recreational and tourism destination in New York State by encouraging communities, businesses and not-for-profit organizations to engage in cleanup and beautification activities along the Canal System and the Canalway Trail.
More than 30 groups participated in events throughout the Canal corridor during last year’s inaugural Clean Sweep.
Carmella R. Mantello, Director of the Canal Corporation said, “For the second year in a row, the Canal Clean Sweep will give volunteers an opportunity to work closely with their canal neighbors and our employees to spruce up public parks and scenic areas along the Canal System and the Canalway Trail. Last year’s Sweep was a great success that helped to raise awareness of the importance of the Canal System and its unprecedented network of trails. We are pleased to be partnering with Parks & Trails NY to expand the Clean Sweep in 2007 and look forward to working with them on future initiatives to enhance and preserve this tremendous state and national resource.”
Robin Dropkin, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York, said, “This is an exciting time to be involved in work to improve parks and trails across the state, and we are pleased to be in partnership with the NYS Canal Corporation in hosting the Annual Canal Clean Sweep event. We hope that many of the communities and groups along the Canal System will take part, as a great sense of satisfaction comes from giving back to your community. We hope to see many groups from last year return and also gain participation from new groups. Involvement provides a chance to make a positive contribution locally, to make new friends, and to enjoy the Canalway System.”
The Canal Corporation and Parks & Trails NY are seeking the assistance of canal communities and partners to organize clean up activities in Canal parks, along public promenades and on Canalway Trail segments in their region. The Canal Corporation will provide garbage bags and trash pickup following each of the events. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own gloves and supplies and wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
The New York State Canal System is comprised of four historic waterways, the Erie, the Champlain, the Oswego and the Cayuga-Seneca Canals. Spanning 524 miles across New York State, the waterway links the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes and the Niagara River with communities rich in history and culture.
For more information on the Second Annual Canal Clean Sweep or to help coordinate an event in your community, please contact Terry Conway with Parks & Trails NY at (518) 434-1538 or email canalsweep@ptny.org.
For more information regarding events, recreational and vacation opportunities along the Canal System, please visit www.nyscanals.gov or call 1-800-4CANAL4.
More Canal Events.
