FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 17, 2007

SECOND ANNUAL "CANAL CLEAN SWEEP" TO KICK OFF THIS WEEKEND
 Nearly 50 Clean-Up Events Scheduled Along the NYS Canal System

The Second Annual Canal Clean Sweep kicks off this weekend, April 21-22, with nearly 50 events scheduled in communities throughout the New York State Canal System corridor. Canal Clean Sweep is sponsored by the New York State Canal Corporation, in partnership with Parks & Trails New York, in preparation for the upcoming 182nd canal navigation season and in recognition of Earth Day.

As part of the Clean Sweep events, the Corporation also is announcing a new Connecting the Drops public information campaign to educate boaters and the public about the importance of keeping pollution out of New York State's waterways.

The Clean Sweep events will highlight the significance of the Canal System as a recreational and tourism destination in New York State as communities, businesses and not-for-profit organizations engage in cleanup and beautification activities along the Canal and the Canalway Trail.

Carmella R. Mantello, Director of the Canal Corporation, said, "The response of communities to the Canal Clean Sweep has been tremendous, with nearly 50 events planned throughout the corridor this year. This annual event brings hundreds of volunteers together to help spruce up the Canal System, including our parks and trails, and lay out the welcome mat for visitors to canal communities this spring."

Mantello added, "As the Canal Corporation diligently works to prepare the Canal System for its 182nd season, we are also working to prevent pollution from all our facilities. Through the Clean Sweep and Connecting the Drops campaign, we want to remind New Yorkers that the pollution that drops on roads, parking lots, or other areas can eventually reach our waterways. We can all work together to prevent pollution and keep our waters clean."

Robin Dropkin, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York, said, "We are thrilled to see the tremendous response from Adopt-a-Trail groups, businesses, civic organizations, student groups, and other volunteers for this worthwhile event. Everyone who celebrates Earth Day by participating will feel proud knowing that they have made a positive contribution to their local community. We have almost doubled the number of events since last year and we hope to see this trend continue in future years. We hope that many of the participants will also plan events for June 2, National Trails Day as part of the 4th annual Canalway Trail Celebration."

The Canal Corporation and Parks & Trails NY are providing tee shirts, garbage bags and bottled water for all Clean Sweep volunteers and are also arranging for trash pickup following each of the events. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own gloves and supplies and wear comfortable clothing and shoes.

Connecting the Drops is a public outreach campaign of the New York State Thruway Authority and Canal Corporation. The goal of this outreach is to remind New Yorkers that water connects us all, and that what we drop in the environment can reach water bodies and put aquatic life, recreation, and even drinking water at risk. The Connecting the Drops effort includes educating Authority/Corporation employees, as well as the motorists and boaters that use the Thruway and canals.

The New York State Canal System is comprised of four historic waterways, the Erie, the Champlain, the Oswego and the Cayuga-Seneca Canals. Spanning 524 miles across New York State, the waterway links the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes and the Niagara River with communities rich in history and culture.

A list of planned Clean Sweep events is attached below and will be updated regularly on the Parks & Trails NY website at www.ptny.org and www.nyscanals.gov. To participate, or to verify dates, times and meeting locations of specific events, please contact the individual organizations listed.

For more information on the Second Annual Canal Clean Sweep or to help coordinate an event in your community, please contact Terry Conway with Parks and Trails NY at (518) 434-1583 or email canalsweep@ptny.org.

For more information regarding events, recreation and vacation opportunities along the New York State Canal System, please visit www.nyscanals.gov or call 1-800-4CANAL4.

Canal Clean Sweep Listing by County:

Erie County

Event: "Niagra River Tonawanda Clean - Up"
Saturday, 4/21, 9:00 am
Contact: Myra Normadin 716-692-2378
myra@wzrd.com
Location to meet: Tonawanda Bandshell
Volunteers are invited to help clean park along Niagara River and Niawanda Park.

Herkimer County

Event: "Canal Clean Sweep of Rotary Park"
Saturday, 4/21, 10:00 am
Contact: Anthony Piana 315-717-6253
apiana@twcny.rr.com
Location to meet: Rotary Park in Little Falls, NY at the Canalway Trail.
Little Falls Rotarians and spouses will clean up the Rotary Canal Park.

Event: "Clean Sweep"
Saturday, 4/21, 11:00 am
Contact: Al McDowell 315-823-9834
amcdowell@twcny.rr.com
Location to meet: Benton's Landing, Little Falls, NY.
The Canal Place Development Association invites volunteers to help them pick up litter along the Canalway Trail from Loomis Island to Moss Island.

Madison County

Event: "Canal Clean Sweep"
Saturday, 4/21, 10:00 am, Sunday, 4/22, 12:00 pm
Contact: Diane VanSlyke 315-893-7910
towpath@twcny.rr.com
Location to meet: Chenango Canal Cottage Museum, Bouckville, NY
The Chenago Canal Association, The Colgate Women's Basketball Team and Colgate COVE invite community participants to help them pick up garbage and loose limbs and debris along the towpath, trail and roadside. The group also plans to rake entrances and spread woodchips. The Museum will be spruced up with cleaning, painting and deck staining projects. Lunch will be provided.

Monroe County

Event: "Seasoning Opening Canal Path Sweep"
Saturday, 5/5, 9:00 am
Contact: Bill Andrews 985-637-3721
wandrews@frontiernet.net
Location to meet: Harvester Park, Sweden , NY.
Town of Sweden invites volunteers to help clean up the park and the Canalway Trail.

Event: "Canal Clean Sweep"
Sunday, 4/22, 9:00 am
Contact: Jim Meyer 585-621-3871
jimmeyer@frontiernet.net
Location to meet: Gullup Road and Canal, Hilton, NY.
The Hilton Sno-Flyers will clean up the canal path.

Event: "Canal Kickoff"
Sunday, 4/22, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Contact: Sue Schickler 473-1159
sschickl@hillside.com
Location to meet: Kendrick Road, Rochester , NY.
Upper Mount Hope Neighbors will do a "Canal Clean Up" of the "Neighbors Trail" that they have adopted.

Event: "Sangha-Sho Spring Community Service Project"
Sunday, 4/22,10:00 am
Contact: Nancy Halstead 585-392-2236
faerywings7@aol.com
Location to meet: Genesee Valley Park at the Pedestrian Bridge over the river, Rochester, NY.
The group will clean up litter and brush along the Canalway Trail at the Park.

Event: "Trail MaintenanceEarth Day 2007"
Sunday, 4/22, 10:30 am
Contact: Janice Madhu 585-293-9435
madjan@frontiernet.net
Location to meet: Brockport Lift Bridge, Brockport, NY.
Brockport History Club sponsors a work day to clean our portion of Canal Path.

Event: "Rochestercares.org to host Earth Day 2007 at Genessee Valley Park"
Saturday, 4/21, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Contact: Hillary Richardson 585-395-5966
hrichard@brockport.edu
Location to meet: Canoe Rental at Genesee Valley Park, Rochester, NY.
Earth Day 2007 will be celebrated in Rochester by Rochestercares.org and its volunteers by doing a canal clean sweep of canal at Genesee Valley Park

Event: "ECOS Canal Clean Up"
Saturday, 4/21, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Contact: Hillary Richardson 585-395-5966
hrichard@brockport.edu
Location to meet: Canal Path at Main Street Bridge, Brockport, NY.
Brockport Environmental Club leads community clean up at Canalway Trail bike path.

Event: "Day of Caring"
Saturday, 4/28, 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Contact: Pat Chapman 585-349-5114
pchapman@spencerportschools.org
Location to meet: Fireman's Field, Spencerport, NY.
Village of Spencerport invites volunteers to join the High and Middle School Service Clubs and sports teams in a canal bank clean up and garden planting, storm drain stenciling, water quality testing and demonstration.

Event: "Clean Sweep of Ogden's Towpath"
TBA
Contact: Wil Hunter 585-746-7258
willardhunterw@yahoo.com
Location to meet: TBA - Town of Ogden will clean up towpath - Ogden, NY.

Event: "Canal Clean Sweep"
Saturday, 4/21, 11:00 am
Contact: Denny Marra 585-352-3415
Location to meet: Gillete Road Bridge in the Town of Ogden.
The Town of Ogden and the Shops at Barefoot Landing invite volunteers to join them as they clean up trash and litter along Canalway Trail.

Event: "Canalway Trail Clean-up"
Saturday, 4/21, 10:00 am
Contact: Keith Kroon 585-225-0688
Crowns2@aol.com
Location to meet: Henpeck Park, Greece, NY.
The Greece Erie Canal Committee invites volunteers to join them to pick up trash from Henpeck Park (Elmgrove Road) west to Manitou Road and east along to Long Pond Road.

Event: "Earth Day 2007- Clean Sweep"
Date TBA 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Contact: Niles Oliver 585-247-3707
nilesr@frontiernet.net
Location to meet: Buffalo Road, Gates, NY
Gates Democratic Committee invites volunteers to hel pick up litter, cut brush, remove debris, and check for winter damage to trail, plan for spring, summer and fall work days.

Event: "Pittsford Sweep"
Saturday, 4/21, 9:00 am or 10:00 am
Contact: Pete Crooker 585-381-4001
jmcrooker@aol.com
Location to meet: Pittsford Village Line (east side).
The Pittsford Rotary Club, Pittsford Mendon High Scool and the Pittsford Sutherland High School Interact Clubs will sweep the banks of the canal and the trail and will gather to discuss a future trail enhancement project.

Event: "Canal Clean Sweep"
Saturday, 4/21, 11:00 am
Contact: Andrew Rawdon 585-546-8280
arawdon@compeer.org
Location to meet: Meridian Centre Park, Brighton, NY.
Clients of Compeer Program, The Citibank Foundation and The Ronald McDonald House will hike and clean up the park.

Event: "Brockport Lacrosse Canal Clean Sweep"
Sunday, 4/22, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Contact: Mark Parmalee 585-259-8179
parm66@hotmail.com
Location to meet: Brockport Boat Dock, Brockport, NY.
Boys and Girls Varsity players will perform community service by cleaning up the community.

Montgomery County

Event: "Morning Warriors on the Canalway Trail"
Saturday, 4/21, 9:00 am
Contact: Micki Leiber 518-443-3087
fmlieber@roadrunner.com
Location to meet: Former Big M parking lot, Fort Plain, NY.
Fort Plains Activities Council will clean up along the Canalway Trail from St. Johnsville to Fort Plain and Canajoharie.

Niagara County

Event: "Erie Canal Spruce - Up"
Saturday, 4/21, 8:00 am
Contact: Lee Butler 716-688-0859
lwbutler1@yahoo.com
Location to meet:
Trail parking lot on the east side of Lockport, NY.
Troop 440 of the Boy Scouts of America will pick up trash and litter between Lockport and Gasport, and may plant some flowers weather permitting.

Event: "Upson Park Planting"
Saturday, 5/19, 12:00 pm
Contact: Cindy Smist 716-433-5905
csmist@lockport1stpres.org
Location to meet: Upson Park on Canal - North Side, below locks, Lockport, NY.
Volunteers are invited to join members of the First Presbyterian Church in planting flowers and doing general cleanup.

Event: "Canal Clean Up"
Sunday, 4/22, 11:30 am
Contact: Cindy Smist 716-433-5905
csmist@lockport1stpres.org
Location to meet:. First Presbyterian Church, 21 Church Street, Lockport, NY.
Volunteers are invited to join members of the First Presbyterian Church in walking from the locks on the north side of the canal approximately 1 1/4 miles east and picking up trash.

Oneida County

Event: "Earth Day Community Clean-up 2007"
Saturday, 4/21, 7:30 am sign in - clean up begins at 8:30 am (raindate is 4/22)
Sunday, 4/22, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Contact: Lisa Kaiding 315-943-2052
vboon@frontiernet.net
Location to meet: American Legion Schuyler Street, Boonville, NY.
The Boonville Environmental Conservation Council invites the entire community to participate in a Spring Litter Clean-up thoroughout the Village of Boonville on Saturday, followed by a hot dog lunch (donated by Big M) and family activities. A Cub Scout Pancake Breakfast will be held on Sunday.

Onondaga County

Event: "Trail Clean-up"
Saturday, 4/21, 9:00 am
Contact: Fenton Hanchett 315-672-5782
fentjoan@twcny.rr.com
Location to meet: Camilus Erie Canal Park, Camilus, NY.
Volunteers from Prudential Properties and St. Lukes Church of Camilus will meet to do trail maintenance at the Erie Canal Park in Camilus.

Orleans County

Event: "2nd Annual Canal Clean Sweep"
Saturday, 4/21, 9:00 am
Contact: Robert Gleason 585-638-5651
bg3472@juno.com
Location to meet: Holley, NY.
The Social Lodge 713 , F & AM of Kendall, NY will clean the banks of the canal.

Event: "Orleans County Snowdrifters Canal Clean and Trash Pick-up"
Date TBA, 9:00 am
Contact: Edward Narburgh 585-682-4724
enarburg@rochester.rr.com
Location to meet: 3 locations: Albion, Eagle Harbor, and Medina, NY.
Members of the Orleans County Snowdrifters meet at 3 locations and collect all trash inside and outside of canal from Medina at Bates Road east to Albion at Butts Road.

Event: "Canal & Village Clean Sweep"
Saturday, 4/21, 9:00 am
Contact: Jim Hancock 585-798-2118
hancock_jim@verizon.net
Location to meet: Lion's Park, next to the Canal, Medina, NY.
Medina Canal Task Force, the Lions club, The Girl and Boy Scouts the Rotary and the Mason's will clean the canal land around the Village to coincide with Earth day as an adopt-a-trail event.

Event: "Sons of the American Legion Canalway Trail Clean-Up"
Sunday, 4/22, 10:00 am
Contact: Wayne Hale 585-451-3516
Location to meet: American Legion Post 204, Medina, NY.
Squadron 204 will collect trash along the Towpath from the Glenwood Bridge to Bates Road Boat Launch in Medina.

Oswego County

Event: "Clean Up Volney"
Saturday, 4/21, 1:00 pm
Contact: Barbara MacEwen 315-593-8288
tofvolne@twcny.rr.com
Location to meet: Town Hall of Volney, NY.
Residents, volunteers and firemen will meet at the Town Hall and have lunch and then take clean up assignments coordinated by Kevin Connelly.

Event: "Oswego County Earth Week - Canal Clean Sweep"
Wednesday, 4/25, 3:00 pm
Contact: Naneen Drosse 315-343-4565
rdrosse@twcny.rr.com
Location to meet: Peter Bock's Dock, Oswego, NY.
Neighbors of Battle Island will clean up floatsom and jetson along residents Oswego River water line property and adjacent properties including Battle Island, Battle Island Golf Course and Factory Island.

Event: "Oswego Earth Week 2007 - Canal Clean Sweep"
Saturday, 4/28, 10:00 am
Contact: Richard Drossee 315-343-4565
rdrosse@twcny.rr.com
Location to meet: Main entrance of Great Bear Property on Rt 57, Oswego, NY.
The Friends of Great Bear group invites you to help them clean up trails at Great Bear adjacent to Oswego River. The property belongs to the City of Fulton Water Dept.

Event: "Clean Sweep Oswego Waterfronts"
Sunday, 4/22, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm (rain date 4/28)
Contact: Martha Hammill 315-342-3074
mhammill2007@yahoo.com
Location to meet: Brietbeck Park Oswego, NY.
Campus - City Relations Committee, SUNY Oswego and City of Oswego invite students and residents to work in teams to clean sweep waterfronts of canal and Lake Ontario within City limits.

Event: "Earth Day Clean Up"
Saturday, 4/21, 10:30 am
Contact: Cathy Lee 315-695-2710
Location to meet: Henley Park, Village of Phoenix, NY.
The Village of Phoenix and the Bridge House Brats will be
cleaning lock island, state street on canal side and Henley Park.

Event: "Minetto Beautification Spring Clean Up"
Saturday, 4/21, 9:00 am
Contact: Nancy Prarie 315-342-3915
mprarie1@twcny.rr.com
Location to meet: Riverside Memorial Park, Minetto, NY.
The Minetto Beautification Committee will clean Lock 5 for a distance of 1 1/2 miles south along route 48.

Saratoga County

Event: "Crescent Park Clean Sweep"
Saturday, 4/21, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Contact: Paul Maiello 518-371-7410 x238
parks@townofhalfmoon.org
Location to meet: Terminal Road, Crescent Park, Halfmoon, NY.
Town of Halfmoon community will clean up litter & brush in Crescent Park.

Event: "Canal Clean Sweep"
Saturday, 4/21, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Contact: Marlene Bissell 518-695-3309 or 859-1462
abissel1@nycap.rr.com
Location to meet: Lock C-5, Lock C5 Island Old Champlain Canal, NY.
Hudson Crossing Park, Town of Saratoga and Northumberland, Turning Point at Olde Saratoga Rotary and the Schuylerville Area Chamber of Commerce invite volunteers to join them as they clean up Lock C-5 Island, Old Champlain canal towpath, Stark's Knob Scientific Reservation and Knox Trail Pocket Park.

Event: "Old Champlain Canal Lock 4 Clean Sweep"
Saturday, 4/21, 9:00 am
Contact: Teri Patton 518-235-0886
TPatton1@nycap.rr.com
Location to meet: Waterford Museum, Waterford , NY.
Waterford Historical Museum invites volunteers to clean and remove debris from the water and shoreline around lock 4 of the old Champlain Canal.

Event: "Canal Clean Sweep 2"
Saturday, 4/21, 9:00 am
Contact: Russ VanDervoort 518-237-0999
Location to meet: Division Street at the Old Champlain Canal, Waterford, NY.
Local volunteers and civic groups are invited to come out and help to clean the towpath area.

Schenectady County

Event: "Earth Day Clean Up : April 29, 2007"
Sunday, 4/29, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Contact: Nancy Papish 518-355-9357
thecompass@nycap.rr.com
Location to meet: Lock 7 - Niskayuna, NY.
The North River Friend of Clearwater will clean area around boat launch shore, parking lot, lock house and picnic area. Bring a boat --- canoe afterwards with new friends.

Event: "Earth Day 2007 Celebration at the Mabee Farm Historic Site"
Sunday, 4/22, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Contact: Patrick Clear 518-370-4125
ecos@global2000.net
Location to Meet: Mabee Farm Historic Site, Route 5s, Rotterdam Junction, NY.
Green exhibitors, activities and demonstrations throughout the day for the whole family. ECOS, Saratoga Organics, Solar Wrights, Affordable Energy Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy, Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, just to name a few. For a full list and schedule go to www.ecosny.org

Seneca County

Event: "Clean Up / Earth Day 2007"
Wednesday, 4/18, 9:00 am
Contact: Jamie Dellafave at 315-539-4188 (or Wilhemina Pusmicans 315-568-8204)
Location to meet: Trail entrance to the Ludovico Sculpture Trail in Seneca Falls, NY.
Timberland Company and the Friends of the Ludovico Sculpture Trail will host a trail cleanup and planting project to create wildlife habitat. Trees, shrubs and flowers wil be planted by the Seneca Falls Middle school 7th grade, science students and teachers Timberland employees and friends and families.

Washington County

Event: "Earth Day Clean Up"
Date TBA, 8:00 am
Contact: Tony Cardamone 518-683-8787
cbgbird@yahoo.com
Location to meet: Riverside Park, Whitehall, NY.
Village of Whitehall, Chamber of Commerce and the Spenceborough Fire Department Elks, ORCA and local churches and Scouts will clean up trash off of the canal and Main Street, Broadway and Williams Street.

Event: "Annual Feeder Canal Clean Up"
Saturday, 4/14, 8:00 - 11:00 am
Contact: Jeanne Williams 518-792-5363
info@feedercanal.com
Location to meet: Murray Park - corner of Main Street and Melburne Ave., Hudson Falls, NY. Annual clean up of the Feeder Canal and Feeder Canal Towpath Trail running from Queensbury to Hudson Falls.

Event: "Interpretive Tours"
Saturday, 4/21, 10:00 am
Contact: Howard Raymon 518-792-5363
info@feedercanal.com
Location to meet: Murray Park - corner of Main Street and Melburne Ave. Hudson Falls, NY.
Feeder Canal Alliance will provide interpretive tours of the feeder canal.

Wayne County

Event: "Clean Sweep"
Sunday, 4/22, 1:00 pm
Contact: Thomas Chappell 315-331-0478
Thomasechappell@yahoo.com
Location to meet: Arcadia Trail Entrance - Stebbins Road, Arcadia, NY
Town Councilman leads group / community walk.

Event: "90 mile Bike/Hike from Palmyra to Lockport"
Saturday, 4/12, beginning at 10:00 am
Contact: Larry Mango 518-686-1796
mangosrl@verizon.net
Location to meet: Meet at parking lot in Palmyra
16 young men from Boy Scout Troop 65 -Hoosick Falls will earn their "50 miler" patch by hiking and biking 90 miles of trail from Palmyra to Lockport. Scouts will stop and clean up trash along the way.

Event: "Old Erie Canal Trail Clean Sweep"
Saturday, 4/21, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Contact: Barbara DeRoo 315-483-6936 x3340
bderoo@reliantcu.com
Location to meet: Black Brook County Park on Old Rte 31 in Clyde, NY.
Trail Works Inc. invites residents and the Science Club of St. Michael's School to
clear brush, windfalls and groom a 4 mile section of the Old Canal Trail.

Event: "Canal Clean up of the enlarged ERIE Canal bed."
Saturday, 4/21, 9:00 am
Contact: Mark DeCracker 315-573-8170
videomark@gmail.com
Location to meet: Lock 27 next to Hotchkiss Bldg. Lyons, NY.
Members of E.R.I.E., Boy and Girl Scouts, Chamber of Commerce invite volunteers to help clean up the enlarged Erie Canal bed between Hotchkiss Pepermint Building and E.C.C.C. in Lyons. 100 year old stone Trolley line abutment will be prepared for the installation of a handpainted mural depicting 19th century canal life.