New York’s largest Earth Day celebration kicks off Friday, April 20, 2018

More than 100 Canal Clean Sweep events scheduled across New York state to celebrate Earth Day and  100 years of the Barge Canal

Volunteer groups across New York state are making final preparations for the 13th annual Canal Clean Sweep, the spring cleaning of the NYS Canal System and Canalway Trail, with most events scheduled for the upcoming weekend of April 20 through 22.

More than 100 Clean Sweep events have been scheduled across the 524-mile-long Canal System, providing opportunities for residents to give back to their local communities and to show pride in a unique cultural and recreational resource. In Madison County, the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum is the place to be. Other opportunities exist in nearby Green Lakes State Park in Manlius, Verona Beach State Park and Rogers Environmental Education Center in Sherburne.

Clean Sweep celebrates Earth Day, and volunteer efforts will help to prepare the Canals for the 194th consecutive navigation season, scheduled to begin May 15.

This year’s events also mark the 100th anniversary of the New York State Canal System, formerly known as the Barge Canal.

Canal Clean Sweep is organized by the non-profit Parks & Trails New York, in partnership with the New York State Canal Corporation. To learn more about Canal Clean Sweep, and view the map of scheduled events, visit www.ptny.org/events/canal-clean-sweep.

“Canal Clean Sweep brought more than 150 groups and 3,000 volunteers to our magnificent Canal and Canalway trail systems last year,” said Brian U. Stratton, Canal Corporation director. “As we celebrate a milestone 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.”

“Canal Clean Sweep gets bigger and better every year, but it still retains its home-grown flavor,” said Robin Dropkin, executive director of Parks & Trails New York. “It’s great to see the local groups come together to show how much the Canal and Canalway Trail mean to their communities.”

For more information on Parks & Trails New York, visit ptny.org or call (518) 434-1583.

Like Canals on Facebook at NYS Canal Corporation. Follow Canals on Twitter at @NYSCanalCorp.

By martha

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