Officials at the C&O Canal Trust are hoping the third time’s the charm as they had to cancel the planned work day along the canal at Great Falls Park because of the wet weather Saturday.
They also had to cancel the April 22 work day because of rain and are now scheduled for Saturday, June 10 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Hopefully the weather will cooperate, said Becky Curtis, director of programs and partnerships for the Trust.
“It’s very rare that we get rained out,” she said.
This year marks the 10th year of Canal Pride Days sponsored by the C&O Canal Trust. Canal Pride Days take place at several places in the C&O National Historical Park each year. Trust employees and volunteers and park rangers work together to determine areas of need that volunteers can help meet to improve the looks and function of the park.
“We have a number of different projects planned,” Curtis said. “We try to think of interesting things for people of different ages and abilities.”
This year, she said, those interested in historical preservation can work at the Great Falls tavern or on the canal boat, the Charles F. Mercer. Others can help clear invasive species from the hillsides along the towpath.
The biggest project they have planned, Curtis said, is to improve the mule pen.
“We have a team of six canal mules,” she said. “They have pasture land and a barn on the hill above the Tavern. Erosion is a big concern so we want to work on that and improving the space.”
Heidi Schlag, director of marketing and communications for the C&O Canal trust, said more than 100 volunteers usually help at Great Falls for Canal Pride Days.
To volunteer for the June 10 date, visit canaltrust.org.