THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS — We just wanted to thank you for helping us make the 19th annual Canal Clean Sweep a sweeping success.
On April 20, 1820, the packet boat The Montezuma arrived in Syracuse marking the beginning of navigation on the Canal’s 96-mile middle section between Utica and Montezuma. Now over 200 years later an ErieCanal2025 Partnership Coalition has been formed to recognize and celetrate the upcoming 200th Erie Canal Bicentennial. Plans are being made leading up to the 2025 completion celebration at canal-related sites in communities all along the middle section of the canal system. It is an opportunity to recognize the importance of building the Canal between 1817 and 1825 as the longest artificial waterway and the greatest public works project in North America.
Kicking off the celebration this year for Earth Day, the weekend of – 21, 2024, witnessed nearly 4,000 volunteers show up (in rain and shine) and get their hands dirty cleaning up our treasured canalway and canal system.
As stewards of Montezuma Heritage Park, the Friends Committee of the Old Mentz Heritage Center have proudly dedicated themselves yearly participating in the statewide program to ensure that trails are cleared and open for the public and to preserve the Park’s historic Erie Canal resources.
Canal Clean Sweep does so much for our greenway system helping prepare the Canalway for the summer recreation season, ecouraging exercise for the whole family, fulfilling hours for community service or scouts, and creating an opportunity to meet new people. Year after year, canal communities continue to amaze and inspire with their support and participation… through hours of working together to make a difference.