Erie Canal Clean Sweep Weekend Planned for April 25-27, 2014

Volunteers will be picking up trash and debris that accumulated over the winter along the Erie Canal and other canals in New York State as part of Clean Sweep Weekend on April 25-27.

Organized by Parks and Trails New York, the sweeps take place before the opening of the Navigation season on the canals which is set for May 1. 2014 marks the 190th anniversary of the canal system in New York State. Here are the canal clean-ups scheduled in our area:

Utica

The clean up is from Utica to Lock 20 in Marcy and will target trail maintenance and graffiti clean-up. The clean leaves from the Utica Marina.

Forrestport

The Forrestport Feeder canal will get a general clean-up of trash and debris both in the canal and the towpath.

Oriskany

The Erie Canal Trek group will be cleaning the canal between River street in Oriskany to Mohawk Street in Whitesboro.

Verona Beach Lighthouse

The canal meets Oneida lake between Sylvan Beach and Verona Beach. The Verona Beach Lighthouse Association will be cleaning the grounds of one of our area's hidden gems - the lighthouse at Verona.