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HISTORIC “TOWPATH TO TRAIL” CLEAN-UP AND PICNIC
WCHS AND TLRC JOIN IN LACKAWAXEN RIVER OF THE YEAR 2010 PROJECT
Pictures from the DAY
HAWLEY, PA (May 12, 2010)—Saturday, May 22, celebrating the Lackawaxen River as PA 2010 River of the Year, The Lackawaxen River Conservancy (TLRC) and the Wayne County Historical Society (WCHS) will join forces at Lock House 31, one mile west of Hawley on Route 6 at 9 AM, to perform a brush and trash clean-up of a section of the former Delaware and Hudson Canal.
“TLRC’s collaboration on the WCHS’s Towpath to Trail Project illustrates how two non-profits organizations can pool resources for the benefit of local culture and environmental awareness,“ commented Frederica Leighton, TLRC River of the Year Steering coordinator. “Being designated PA 2010 River of the Year draws attention to the Lackwaxen River’s crucial role in defining the history of Wayne and Pike counties.”
WCHS embarked on the Towpath to Trail project in 1998. Funded mainly with grants from the State of Pennsylvania, WCHS acquired Lock House 31, a former farm and tavern, a one mile intact portion of the Delaware & Hudson Canal and sixteen adjacent acres along the Lackawaxen. WCHS envisions the Lock house, now recognized on the National Registry of Historic Sites, as a living history museum which will include a canal boat replica.
The surrounding 16 acres, intended to become a 19th century heritage park with hiking paths along the towpath and river, require the most vigorous attention. Tom Colbert, WCHS member and clean-up coordinator, said, “Volunteers have clocked thousands of hours over the years working to clear out the house, clean up the property, cut the grass and maintain the canal.”
Volunteers interested in joining TLRC and WCHS can bring their garden tools of choice: trowels, rakes, clippers, brush cutters, weed whackers, loppers, pruning sheers, chain saws, shovels, wheel barrels, tractors, carts, trash bags brush buckets, tarps, gloves and bug spray.
TLRC and WCHS will host a picnic and potluck lunch after the cleanup. Volunteers may bring salads, potluck dishes or dessert. Kindly RSVP by May 19, 2010 to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
CONTACT: Win Olsen 570-685-7204
