Many thanks to the New Yorkers who celebrated the 14th annual Canal Clean Sweep. The 87 cleanup events saw more than 2,500 spirited volunteers do some spring cleaning for the Canal Corridor.
Volunteers worked hard by raking, collecting litter, and planting during this year’s Canal Clean Sweep. The Canalway Trail is looking good just in time for the start of the boating and cycling season. Speaking of looking good, everyone looked very nice in their Canal Clean Sweep shirts. They braved snow, rain, and wind to show their support and dedication to the trail.
“Our youngest girls sweep the canal side to prep for mowing. The older girls grab the sturdiest stick they can find and go litter fishing, it is a favorite activity!” said one of our great organizers.
#WhadjaFind? Competition
In our #WhadjaFind? competition, we received many pictures of Sweepers hard at work and the remarkable “Canal artifacts” collected during Clean Sweep events. We had a great time going through the many submissions of the “treasures” found. It was tough to pick when there was so many good choices.
And the winners are….
BEST CLEAN SWEEP SPIRIT: BSA Troop & Cub Scout Pack 35
These Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts exemplified the Scout Law by braving cold weather and snow during their Clean Sweep event. They did an exceptional job picking up litter from the culvert under the canal and from the towpaths. Way to go!
STRANGEST TRASH TREASURE FIND: Village of Ilion
Volunteers at the Second Annual Ilion Canal Clean Up picked up a lot of litter at their event and found this oddity: a baby walker! The event organizer said, “thank goodness the individual that threw this out the window didn’t throw the baby with it!”
BIGGEST TRASH “COLLECTION”: Minetto Beautification
This group is small but mighty! They collected all sorts of litter, everything from non-returnable cans and bottles to foam bait boxes and fast food cups. This group proves that great results come from hard work and team work.
Thank you to everyone who submitted to the #WhadjaFind? competition. We received many great submissions and could not believe what some of what was collected. We encourage Sweepers to continue to seek out odd finds along the Canal corridor.
The fun continues!
Parks & Trails New York offers many ways to keep the spirit of Canal Clean Sweep with you year-round. The Canalway Trail Adopt-a-Trail and Trail Ambassador programs are both ways you can do good all year. Individuals and groups that register as Trail Adopters perform varying maintenance tasks for their local trail section on their own time. If you’re more of a people-person, consider becoming a Trail Ambassador. Ambassadors do their part by welcoming and providing assistance to trail users.
If you would like to get involved, visit ptny.org, call (518) 434-1583, or email canaltrail@ptny.org for more information.
Thank you again to all this year’s Clean Sweep organizers and volunteers and to all the Canalway Trail supporters. We would like to especially thank the Canal Corporation for all it does to ensure the Canal Corridor remains a world-class recreation venue.
See you next year!
Canalway Trail Times 