The C&O Canal Trust celebrated a very active July with various events focused on stewardship, education, and beautification throughout the entire length of the C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP). We engaged with community groups through our Canal For All program, and we welcomed corporate groups for stewardship projects. This month, the Trust worked with Anheuser Busch, Arc of Washington County, Boys and Girls Club of Eastern Panhandle, Extreme Bike Camp, Girls Inc., the Landon School, Salesforce, and Timbrook Achievement Center / Teens Inc..
Despite a few program barriers due to extreme heat, the Trust had a busy Canal For All season with activities occurring each week throughout July. Canal For All is unique in that the program provides engaging experiential activities for participating community organizations, youth, and families. Throughout the month, community partners visited the Park and accomplished various maintenance projects as well as learned more about the C&O Canal’s important history and incredible natural resources.
The Timbrook Achievement Center (TAC), otherwise known as Teens Inc., joined us for their second year and helped stain a portion of the bridge at Lock 20 in Great Falls. Upward Bound of Hagerstown Community College joined us for a service project at Cushwa Basin and the Jordan Juncture Hiker Biker campsite where they painted 10 picnic tables and removed 100 pounds of trash from the towpath.
Additionally, eighth graders from the Landon School joined us at Lockhouse 6 where they painted doors and the porch as well as removed 50 pounds of trash from the neighboring area. Work projects like these not only instill a sense of responsibility for preserving the C&O Canal NHP, but also leave a lasting impression for those involved.
A group from Girls Inc. joined us at Park headquarters in Williamsport where they learned about the canal and had the opportunity to build canal replicas of their own. Two Canal Classrooms Corps teachers, Carol Nase and Carol Winckler, gave a presentation of the canal mural inside of the headquarters building to teach the students about the canal and its history. Later that day, we gave a tour of Lockhouse 44 to another group from Girls Inc.
In addition to these Canal For All events, the Trust also welcomed two corporate groups for stewardship events in the Park. Salesforce employees came out to Monocacy Aqueduct and removed 200 pounds of trash and 275 pounds of invasive vegetation. 35 volunteers with Anheuser Busch removed over 1,000 pounds of trash and painted 30 picnic tables, 10 grills, and two benches in the Carderock Recreational area.
We are grateful for the work of our partners and their commitment to helping us preserve and protect the C&O Canal NHP. Thank you!
Images by Trust Staff
