April 22, 2023

Every Earth Day weekend, the NYS Canal Corporation and Parks & Trails New York host Canal Clean Sweep, a weekend of 100+ spring clean-ups on sections of the Canalway Trail, in canalside parks, and in other public areas throughout the Canal corridor.

Volunteers from scout clubs to Rotary and Kiwanis chapters, Adopt-a-Trail groups, nature clubs, college students, church groups, elected officials, sports teams, local businesses and groups of many other types come together to show their love for the Canal and Canalway Trail System.

Canal Clean Sweep 2023 Registration

How does it work?

In early February, registration will open for event hosts to register a clean-up event on their stretch of trail. Clean Sweep Hosts can be anyone from community groups to local businesses, and municipalities to families.
To register an event, identify your clean-up location and click on the map to add an event. Your events will then get added to the interactive map above. PTNY provides event organizers with resources, including promotional materials, trash bags, and t-shirts (Find more info below under "2023 Resources for Organizers")
In March, volunteer registration opens for those that would like to participate in Clean Sweep. Volunteers can join existing, public events by clicking on an existing event on the map above and providing basic information.
On Earth Day weekend, get out there, clean up and have fun!

2023 Resources for Event Organizers

2023 Clean Sweep Organizer Checklist

Organizer Package Contents

Organizer Package Contents:

Trash bags for litter collection
Canal Clean Sweep T-shirts
2023 Flyer
An instruction letter, checklist for organizers, a sign-in sheet, a volunteer service agreement, and a photo release agreement

Promoting your event

Promoting your Event:

Download and print the flyer to hang up around your community
Use the community press release template to let local news outlets know about your event
Partner with a local Bike Friendly NY business - use the interactive map on our website to see if there is one near you
Create a Facebook event and invite your friends!
Post about your event on all your social media platforms. Make sure you use #CanalCleanSweep and tag Parks & Trails New York, Erie Canalway Trail, and NYS Canal Corporation in your posts to be shared out.
- Sample graphics google folder

Share your #CanalCleanSweep

Share your #CanalCleanSweep experience!

Take lots of photos and share them throughout the day, using the hashtag #CanalCleanSweep and tagging @eriecanalwaytrail, @parkstrailsny and @nyscanalcorp
Upload your best shots to this google drive folder, creating a folder with your organization/group's name or email them to canaltrail@ptny.org.

Thank you to our 2022 Canal Clean Sweep sponsors:

Adopt-a-Trail

Another way to show your appreciaton for the Canalway Trail is by adopting a trail section through the Adopt-a-Trail program. Contact PTNY at canaltrail@ptny.org or 518-434-1583 for more information.