For Immediate Release: March 31, 2016
Volunteers Sought for Canal Clean Sweep
More than 100 Clean-up Events Scheduled across New York State
To Celebrate Earth Day & Kickoff Canal Navigation Season
Volunteer groups and individuals are invited to participate in the 11th annual Canal Clean Sweep, thespring cleaning of the NYS Canal System and Canalway Trail, during the weekend of April 22-24, 2016.
More than 100 Canal Clean Sweep events have been scheduled across the 524-mile-long Canal system, providing nearly unlimited opportunities for residents to give back to their local community and to show pride in a unique cultural and recreational resource. Canal Clean Sweep is also a great way to celebrate Earth Day, and volunteer efforts will help to prepare the Canals for the 192nd consecutive navigation season, scheduled to begin May 1, weather permitting.
Those interested in volunteering should visit www.ptny.org/events/canal-clean-sweep and use the Event Finder Map to find a convenient, local clean up event. Local organizers provide necessary tools and supplies, as well as complimentary t-shirts as supplies allow.
Partners for Canal Clean Sweep include the New York State Canal Corporation and the non-profit Parks & Trails New York. Last year more than 150 groups and 3,000 volunteers participated in the clean-up weekend. Barton & Loguidice and Bergmann Associates, both full-service planning, engineering, environmental science, and landscape architecture firms with offices throughout New York State, are sponsoring this year’s event.
“The Canal system and Canalway Trail are two of upstate New York’s most incredible assets,” said Brian U. Stratton, Director of the New York State Canal Corporation. “Canal Clean Sweep is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to show their pride in the Canals and Canalway Trail by pitching in to keep them beautiful.”
Robin Dropkin, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York, said, “We are excited to begin the second decade of Canal Clean Sweep. It’s an event that keeps growing statewide, while retaining its local flavor with community groups sprucing up canalside parks or their section of Canalway Trail.”
“As a consulting firm involved with the planning and design of several canalway trail systems and park improvements across the state, Barton & Loguidice is proud to be a sponsor of the Canal Clean Sweep,” said Associate Vice President Steven W. Buechner, R.L.A. “We’ve seen what a difference these clean-up projects make in improving the canal environment for those who use it on a daily basis, and how it impacts the public appreciation for it’s historical, cultural and economic value for New York State. We will be encouraging our employees to honor earth day and assist with clean sweep events in the greater Syracuse and Albany areas.”
For more information on the 11th annual Canal Clean Sweep, to register an event or to find an event to participate in, visit www.ptny.org/events/canal-clean-sweep or contact James Meerdink of Parks & Trails New York at (518) 434-1583 or canalsweep@ptny.org.
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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, the waterways link the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes, Niagara River and Lake Erie with communities rich in history and culture. For more information about the New York State Canal System, vacation opportunities and events call 1-800-4CANAL4 or visit www.canals.ny.gov.
Like Canals on Facebook at NYS Canal Corporation
Follow Canals on Twitter at @NYSCanalCorp
For more information on Parks & Trails New York, visit www.ptny.org or call (518) 434-1583.
For more information on Barton & Loguidice, visit www.bartonandloguidice.com.