2024 Canal Clean Sweep Volunteers

The CCA Board of Trustees appreciates all the help that our volunteers provide, we can't do all the work that needs to be done alone! Volunteers are invited to assist with trail maintenance activities such as trimming back the overgrowth, removal of fallen trees or dangerous trees, trash clean-up, gardening, repair of structures, etc., there is always something that needs to be done. In addition, the CCA Field School for area 4th grade students is lead by volunteers. Our volunteers are an important asset to the CCA.

CCA Field School

Annually, in late spring, the CCA holds a half-day field school geared for 4th grade students (but can accommodate all elementary to middle school grades, including summer recreation groups, church groups, private schools, and home school groups).  Madison, Sherburne-Earlville, Brookfield, and Morrisville-Eaton Central Schools have participated in the CCA field school in the previous years. Together with their teachers and chaperones, they come to the Towpath Trail to learn about history, nature, and conservation.  The CCA field school is arranged in stations for the students to rotate through.  Motts donates Motts brand applesauce and apple juice as snacks for the participants.

Example Stations include:

• Identifying fur pelts and learning about how trapping helped the settlers trade and prosper in NYS sponsored by Madison County Conservation Club (Steve Wratten, Tim &Sydney Evans)

• History Hunt on the trail: Follow a hoggee and his helper on a story about living on a canal boat and the work they did. Students found gold coins along the trail to keep  (TJ Moorehead & Angela Reed, Norwich)

• Living History of a Canal Cook sponsored by Hamilton Historical Commission & Public Library (story by Joan Prindle)

• History on the Canal multiple choice game (CCA Board Members Diane Van Slyke)

• Learning How A Lock Works with a working model (CCA Board Member John Bailey)

• Learning the Jobs & Customs on a Canal Boat by Interactive Play sponsored by Clinton Historical Society (Author Wade Lallier)

Please consider volunteering with this educational event for our community.

CCA Field School Photo Archive.

Trail Maintenance Volunteers

The CCA greatly appreciates our trail maintenance volunteers, these volunteers are predominantly local college student groups led by a team of CCA Board of Trustees and Board Members. In 2025, Colgate COVE Service Day (with 16 volunteers) helped clean the deck located behind the Cottage Museum, sort bottles and cans collected during the Antique Show, and cleared a section of the towpath trail near Oriskany Creek. Additionally, 7 volunteers from Hamilton College Service Day helped to clear a section of the towpath trail north of Elm Street.  We thank you for all your help to keep the trail clear for the trail users and for the town/county personnel to mow the grass!  

Student Volunteer Photo Archive

In addition, the winter of 2023 and spring of 2024 caused many trees to fall causing the towpath trail to be blocked in several locations.  The CCA Board, along with other volunteers spent many hours with chain saws to clear those sections of the towpath trail.

Unfortunately, we also suffered from vandalism of gates located on the towpath trail on Woodman Pond Rd entrances, both directions of the trail, towards Hamilton and Rt 46. The gates prevent access by motorized vehicles thus keeping the area safe for walkers, hikers, cyclists, horseback riders, etc., and protecting the trail from damage caused by those vehicles.

Trail Maintenance Photo Archive

An all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Publicly encouraging research for the preservation of the canal, surrounding waters and land, 

while maintaining it as both a historic and public recreation site.