03/31/2022
New York’s Largest Earth Day Celebration Kicks Off Friday, April 22
Volunteers are encouraged to register today, as groups across New York State prepare for the 17th Canal Clean Sweep, to be held April 22-24, 2022. Canal Clean Sweep is an annual clean-up event held across the New York State Canal System and Canalway Trail. More than 100 Clean Sweep events are expected along the more than 400-mile-long Canalway Trail system and the 524-mile-long Canal system, with opportunities for thousands of residents to give back to their local communities and to show pride in one of New York’s most iconic cultural and recreational resources.
Clean Sweep is scheduled to coincide with the annual Earth Day celebrations on Saturday, April 23. Canal Clean Sweep will be one of a number of events held around the state to recognize the ongoing commitment to improving the health of our natural environment, in addition to being part of a nationwide celebration to encourage people to get outside and enjoy our exceptional trails and trail systems.
The 2022 Canal Clean Sweep will take place following a full year of trail use since the completion and opening of the Empire State Trail, a 750-mile multi-use path spanning the state from Manhattan north to the Adirondacks and west along the historic Erie Canal corridor to Buffalo. Over the last few years, the Canalway Trail system has seen unprecedented use, reflecting significant investments made as part of the completion of the Empire State Trail, and increased interest and participation in outdoor recreational activities due to COVID-19. Through the efforts of volunteers across the state during Canal Clean Sweep 2022, communities will ensure the Canalway Trail system will remain a pristine recreational resource for locals and visitors alike.
Canal Clean Sweep 2022 is organized by the non-profit Parks & Trails New York, in partnership with the New York State Canal Corporation. To learn more about Canal Clean Sweep, and to view a map of scheduled events, visit: ptny.org/cleansweep.
“There is no better way to celebrate Earth Day than by taking care of one of the State’s most remarkable landmarks, not only preparing it for recreational use for the upcoming warm months, but also making the water and trailways friendlier for the hundreds of species of wildlife that inhabit the Canal system,” said Brian U. Stratton, Canal Corporation director. “We look forward to seeing volunteers from across New York join us for this year’s Clean Sweep, and appreciate each and every helping hand that takes part in this fun and important event.”
“Canal Clean Sweep is a great opportunity for thousands of volunteers across the state to give back to the trail that brings them joy and respite throughout the year” said Robin Dropkin, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York. “Year after year, the Canal communities continue to amaze and inspire us with their support and participation – a testament to how much the Canal and Canalway Trail mean to them.”
