Join New York’s Largest Earth Day Celebration April 17-19, 2026
Albany, NY – Volunteers across New York State are invited to join the 21st annual Canal Clean Sweep, the state’s largest Earth Day clean-up event, taking place April 17-19. This year, more than 100 clean-up events along the 524-mile New York State Canal System and the 400-mile Canalway Trail are expected to engage over 2,500 volunteers.
Canal Clean Sweep is a hands-on way for residents to give back to their communities, protect one of New York’s most iconic cultural and recreational resources, and enjoy the outdoors during Earth Day weekend.
In recent years, the Canalway Trail system has seen record use, boosted by the completion of the Empire State Trail and growing interest in outdoor recreation. Canal Clean Sweep volunteers can help keep these trails clean and well-maintained, ensuring they remain a valued resource for both local residents and visitors.
How to Volunteer:
Sign up through the interactive map at www.ptny.org/canal-clean-sweep to choose your preferred clean-up location and date. Most events occur April 17-19, though some may be scheduled slightly earlier or later. Private events require direct contact with the host.
Organizers:
Canal Clean Sweep is organized by Parks & Trails New York, in partnership with the New York State Canal Corporation.
Parks & Trails New York Executive Director Paul Steely White said, “Every spring, Canal Clean Sweep reminds us what these waterways are worth. Stretching from the Erie to the Champlain, New York’s canals have shaped communities, economies, and identities for generations. Canal Clean Sweep brings volunteers together to clear trails, pick up litter, and help these beloved places shine for another summer season. It’s hands-on work, but it’s also a celebration of shared history, of the outdoors we cherish, and of the people who love these places enough to roll up their sleeves and protect them.”
New York State Canal Corporation Director Ben Walsh said, “The Canalway Trail attracts millions of users from around the world to the heart of New York State and the Canal System each year. Cleaning up the debris that has accumulated around the waterway during the winter months not only makes the user experience more enjoyable for all, it also helps us connect with each other after a long winter, practice environmental stewardship, and give back to this beloved recreational resource. I encourage everyone to sign up for – or better yet host – a Canal Clean Sweep event in their community.”
About Parks & Trails New York
Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) is the state’s leading advocate for public lands. Since 1985, we’ve been dedicated to improving our health, economy, and quality of life through the use and enjoyment of green space. With thousands of members and supporters across the state, PTNY is a leading voice in the protection of New York’s network of public lands and the creation and promotion of more than 2,000 miles of greenways, bike paths, river walks, and trails. For more information, visit www.ptny.org
About the New York State Canal System
The New York State Canal Corporation runs the New York State Canal System, which includes the Erie, Champlain, Oswego and Cayuga-Seneca canals. Spanning 524 miles, the waterway links the Hudson River with the Great Lakes, the Finger Lakes and Lake Champlain. In 2017, the Canal Corporation celebrated the 200th anniversary of the groundbreaking for the Erie Canal, which occurred in the city of Rome on July 4, 1817. The Canal System includes the Canalway Trail, a network of approximately 400 miles of multi-use trails across upstate New York. The Canalway Trail follows the towpaths of both active and historic sections of the New York State Canal System as well as adjacent abandoned rail corridors. Together, the canals and trail create a world-class recreationway that is a vibrant, scenic, and unique New York resource. To learn more about the New York State Canal and Canalway Trail System or to obtain a free map, please call 1-800-4CANAL4 or visit the Canal Corporation’s website atwww.canals.ny.gov