With the re-opening of the government, the C&O Canal Trust, the official nonprofit partner to the C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP), will be working with park staff in the coming weeks to assess damage done to the C&O Canal NHP during the month-long closure, and to identify immediate and longer-term maintenance needs. The Trust will then leverage its volunteer network to provide boots on the ground to take care of those projects suited to the capacity and skills of community volunteers.
The Trust’s 12th annual Canal Pride Days, which bring hundreds of volunteers together in the spring to tackle a range of improvements along the length of the canal, will this year focus on recovery efforts. Projects have been scheduled for Great Falls, Williamsport, and Allegany County, although they are subject to change based on the results of the park’s damage assessment.
“We will be working to help mitigate damages and backlog maintenance that has arisen during the shutdown,” said the Trust’s Director Programs and Partnerships Becky Curtis. “We are still dealing with significant damage in the Park from multiple flood events in 2018 that needs to be addressed. The need for volunteer assistance this Spring is substantial, and we encourage the community to join us and show their love for the C&O Canal.”
Community members interested in assisting can sign up at www.canaltrust.org/canalpride.
About the C&O Canal Trust
The C&O Canal Trust, as the official non-profit partner of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, works in partnership with the National Park Service and local communities to raise funds to preserve the Park for future generations and to broaden support through programs that highlight the Park’s historical, natural and cultural heritage and recreational opportunities. It is a 501(c)(3) organization. For more information about the Trust, visit www.canaltrust.org.