Groups will be out for canal cleanup events

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 April 2014 at 12:00 am

Volunteers are welcome to help clean up the canal this weekend in advance of its opening on May 3 for its 190th season.

HOLLEY – In Holley, volunteers should meet at gazebo on East Avenue at 9 a.m. on Saturday. The village encourages people to wear gloves, and leather shoes or boots. Children under 12 can not operate machinery and must be accompanied by an adult. The clean up event lasts until noon.

The Kendall Masonic Lodge also is planning a cleanup at Holley’s canal park. Masons will be there at 9 a.m. on Sunday. Volunteers will split up into two groups and walk the towpaths on both sides of the canal, heading east gathering trash and debris.

Volunteers conclude at the County Line Bridge (Route 31) where there is a collection site at the boat launch.

ALBION – The Orleans County Snowdrifters plan to meet at the Eagle Harbor lift bridge at 9 a.m. on Saturday and clean rubbish along the canal to Bates Road in Medina and to Groth Road in Holley.

MEDINA – The Sons of the American Legion will meet at 10 a.m. on Saturday to rake, trim and mulch the garden at Glenwood Avenue bridge approach. They will also collect trash along the Towpath at the Glenwood Avenue Bridge to the Bates Road boat launch.

The Medina Lions Club will have its Environmental Cleanup Day from 9 a.m. to noon on May 3, cleaning up the public parks in the Medina area, including the Medina Erie Canal Basin, Lions Park located along the canal, Butts Park, and State Street Park.

Volunteers will clean up trash, rake up debris, trim bushes and prepare flower beds in the identified places. They will work from 9 a.m. until noon. The Lions Club will then provide a picnic lunch for all volunteers.