The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Canal Sweeps planned
ALBANY, N.Y. » The New York State Canal Corporation is partnering with Parks & Trails New York for the 13th annual Canal Clean Sweep, which will bring together some 3,000 volunteers across the state to help beautify canal trails as New York prepares to celebrate the centennial of the state canal system.
Most events will occur on Earth Day weekend, between April 20 and 22. Groups will fan out along the canal systemto pick up trash, clear brush and do landscaping.
Last year, there were more than 100 clean-up events along the 524-mile canal corridor, which includes the Erie, Oswego, Champlain and Cayuga-Seneca canals. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the New York State Canal System, formerly known as the Barge Canal.
“Canal Clean Sweep brought more than 150 groups and 3,000 volunteers to our canal and trail systems last year,” said Canal Corporation Director Brian Stratton said. “As we celebrate a mile--
stone season on the canals, we hope to see even greater participation, as we volunteer with neighbors to improve the canal’s scenic and historic sites, for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike.”
The Erie Canalway Trail and the Champlain Canalway Trail will be completed by 2020 as part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Empire State Trail initiative, which at 750 miles will be the longest multi-use recreational trail network in the U.S.
The Erie Canalway Trail accommodates more than 1.5 million trips by pedestrians, bicyclists, and cro s s - country skiers annually. More than threequarters of the 365-mile Erie Canalway Trail from Albany to Buffalo is a dedicated off-road trail, much of it along the canal’s former towpath.
Those interested in organizing a Canal Clean Sweep event or to find an existing event to volunteer at can go to the event finder map at https://www.ptny.org/ events/canal-clean-sweep
For more information, contact Catherine Lamberson of Parks & Trails New York at clamberson@ptny.org or 518-434-1583.