Upwards of 3,000 volunteers are expected to be out across the state this weekend cleaning up debris and litter along New York’s greenway trails.
Canal Clean Sweep, organized by Parks & Trails New York and the state Canal Corporation, provides opportunities for communities across the state to join together and give back. With 2,000 volunteers already registered, Canal Clean Sweep helps to maintain and enhance one of New York’s most iconic cultural and recreational resources, The Canalway Trail.
In honor of 20 years of Canal Clean Sweep and 200 years of the Erie Canal, more than 180 clean up events are scheduled this weekend throughout the 524-mile canal system and 400-mile Canalway Trail. Visit https://www.ptnyfriends.org/canal-clean-sweep for an interactive map of Canal Clean Sweep sites across the state — and more information about volunteering at any site.
Locally, these clean-sweep events are planned:
• Lockport Canal Cleanup, starts at the Canal Street parking lot, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
• American Legion Newfane Post 873 Canal Clean Sweep, starts at the parking area at North Canal Road across from Lytle Nature Preserve, 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday.
• Canal Clean-up at Upson Park, Lockport, meet up at Lake Effect Ice Cream on Canal Street, noon to 1:30 p.m. April 27 (note the off-schedule date).
• Gasport East Canal Clean-up, starts at 8464 Telegraph Road, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
• Clean Sweep in Middleport, behind the village hall near the Department of Public Works building parking lot, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.
• Clean Sweep #1 at the Middleport Draw Bridge, 10 a.m. to noon April 26 (note the off-schedule date).
• Medina Lions Canal Sweep at Lions Park, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
• NTBG Canal Cleanup, starts at the North Tonawanda Botanical Gardens, 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday.