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National Park Service News Releases 23 Jun 09 - C&O Canal Family Reunion is part of Hancock Barge Bash Hancock, MD – A Canal Family Reunion will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2009, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. as part of the Barge Bash along the C&O Canal in Hancock, MD. The Barge Bash will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There will be bands playing music, the Canal Family Reunion, the parade of Barge Bash floats, and the competition as the Barges are pulled down the canal. Do you recall the days over eighty years ago when the C&O Canal still operated? Are you a descendent of a Canawler? Do you have tales that have been passed down through your family about the canal? Or would you like to learn more about the history of the C&O Canal? If so, you are invited to attend a Canal Family Reunion at the Hancock Barge Bash. All along the 184.5 mile C&O Canal from Georgetown to Cumberland, reside families who link their heritage back to the canal during the years when it still operated. Some families are descendants of canal boat operators. Some families descend from lock keepers. Still other families descend from the workers who labored to construct the canal. All are invited to the Canal Family Reunion to tell or hear stories and to interact with other canal families! The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park in partnership with the Hancock Arts Council and the Town of Hancock are partners for this year’s Barge Bash and the reunion. Contact the C&O Canal Williamsport Visitor Center at 301-582-0813 for more information. 16 Jun 09 - C&O Canal Hosts Independence Day Special Event Washington DC. – The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park will be presenting its traditional Independence Day excursion to Fletcher's Cove on the canal boat "Georgetown" on July 4, 2009. The "Georgetown" will depart its dock at 1057 Thomas Jefferson St NW, Washington DC, at 11:00 am and will arrive at Fletcher's Cove at approximately 12:30 pm. It will depart Fletcher's Cove at 2:30 pm and arrive back in Georgetown at about 4:00 pm. Music, storytelling and a history of the Star Spangled Banner will be featured on the canal boat, while 19th century games such as quoits, horseshoes, and croquet will be available to all at Fletcher's Cove from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Fares for people aged 4 and up are $5.00 one way and $8.00 round trip. Reservations are strongly recommended as space is limited. Call the park's Georgetown Visitor Center at 202-653-5190 Wednesday through Sunday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm for reservations or for more information. 09 Jun 09 - Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Announces Mushroom Collecting Regulations The morel mushroom season is here and the National Park Service would like to inform visitors about the regulations on collecting mushrooms in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. The National Park Service has an obligation to protect all of the natural resources of the park, but the collection of small amounts of some edible mushrooms for personal consumption is permitted. Visitors are allowed to collect one-half gallon per person per day for all types of mushrooms. The collection of edible mushrooms can be a rewarding experience, but can be dangerous and should not be attempted unless you know how to identify edible mushroom species. If you do not know mushrooms well, only go hunting with someone who does. These regulations are found in the Superintendent’s Compendium and Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations. The Superintendent’s Compendium lists closures, use restrictions, permit requirements, designations, and other restrictions governing use of the park. A copy of the compendium is available on C&O Canal’s web site under Management, or at www.nps.gov/choh/parkmgmt/index.htm. For more information concerning this program, please contact the Natural Resource Program Manager in the Resource Management Division at (301)714-2224. 09 Jun 09 - C&O Canal Rangers Seek Information on Dumping, Vandalism Sharpsburg, MD –Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park rangers recently discovered a white chest type freezer filled with rotten meat. The freezer and meat were dumped next to the C&O Canal at the Marsh Run access area about ½ mile west of the Taylor’s Landing boat ramp. The nature of the contents required the removal to be conducted as a hazardous materials cleanup. Because of this the cost of the cleanup exceeded $2000.00. Park Rangers are investigating this incident. Anyone with information on the incident should call 866-677-6677. The park is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the people responsible for these crimes. 02 Jun 09 - C&O Canal Invites Public to Comment on Proposed Evitt's Creek Combined Sewer Overflow Upgrades, Cumberland, Maryland Cumberland, Md. – The National Park Service, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, is conducting a public review of the Evitt’s Creek Combined Sewer Overflow Upgrades and Establishment of Right-of-Way Environmental Assessment. The National Park Service will be accepting public review comments beginning June 2, 2009 through July 2, 2009. The draft Environmental Assessment presents information on projected impacts to park resources from the proposed request from the City of Cumberland to implement upgrades to their combined sewer overflow lines between the Evitt's Creek pump station and the City’s Waste Water Treatment Plant. Proposed upgrades involve construction on National Park Service property between mile 181 and 182 of the park. The project would also establish a right-of-way to govern new and existing sewer lines within the park at that location. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act the National Park Service invites public comments regarding this project. Comments received will be used to evaluate this project. The National Park Service will be accepting written comments beginning June 2, 2009 through July 2, 2009. A public meeting will be held on June 16, 2009 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the City Hall, Council Chambers (Second Floor), 57 North Liberty Street, Cumberland, MD 21502 Further information about this project is located on the National Park Service Planning, Environment & Public Comment website. Written comments should be submitted through this website. 28 May 09 - Construction Work Begins at Great Falls Tavern Entrance Road and Parking Lot Potomac, Md. – On the week of June 1, 2009 the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park will begin a construction project at the Great Falls Maryland area of the park. The project will improve the entrance road through widening to a consistent width, clearly marked shoulders and complete reconstruction to remove potholes and other hazards. In addition, the overhead utilities along the entrance road will be placed underground. The large parking lot will be repaved and the walkways will be improved to allow full accessibility under the Architectural Barriers Act. The final completion date for the project is anticipated to be in spring 2010 Every effort will be made to minimize traffic delays and accomplish the work in a timely manner. Visitors are asked to observe posted construction signs, obey traffic direction provided by flaggers, and exercise caution when driving along the park entrance road. The work is being performed under a contract administered for the Park by the Federal Highway Administration. 12 May 09 - C&O Canal Prohibits Bringing Firewood into the Park Hagerstown, Md. - The National Park Service reminds visitors that bringing firewood from outside the park to use in campgrounds or picnic areas in C&O Canal National Historical Park is prohibited. Firewood may contain non-native insects such as Emerald Ash Borer and Asian Longhorned Beetle. Bringing firewood into the park from other areas may accidentally spread pest insects and diseases that threaten the health of our forest. “By complying with this regulation our visitors help us protect the park” Kevin Brandt, Superintendent of C&O Canal said. “These pests and diseases can cause great damage to trees in the park and on private lands nearby.” Dead wood on the ground may be collected for use as fuel for campfires within the immediate vicinity of designated picnic and camping areas, but may not be removed from the park. Some firewood cut by park staff from inside the park may be available at campsites. Check with the campground host or a park ranger. Management of trees infected with these pests involves drastic measures - complete removal of all trees (infested and otherwise) in the immediate and surrounding areas. Both beetles can be easily spread in firewood, which may look normal, but still be infested with the immature stage of these insects. The ash borer primarily infects species of ash trees. The longhorned beetle attacks maple, elm, horsechestnut, and other hardwoods. There are specific quarantines that restrict the removal of wood products from Prince George’s County Maryland, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and parts of New York and New Jersey. The firewood ban reflects measures taken by the State of Maryland (May 2007) in their parks and forests, and at Catoctin Mountain Park, a National Park Service site. For additional information on this program, contact Scott Bell, Natural Resource Program Manager, Resource Management Division at (301)714-2224. 04 May 09 - NPS Announces C&O Canal Recovery Act Projects WASHINGTON, DC –The National Park Service announced on April 22 nearly 800 projects totaling $750 million that can be completed across the country with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. “These projects are an investment in America’s future that will create jobs, stimulate the economies of local communities, and get our country moving again,” Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said. “They are also an investment in telling the story of America to future generations through our national parks by conserving our awe-inspiring landscapes, our rich culture, and our great heritage.” “We will use Recovery Act funding to make a difference in parks,” said Acting Director Dan Wenk. “We will fix trails, invest in energy efficient vehicles, build new visitor facilities, cleanup abandoned mine sites, increase our ability to generate power from the sun, and finally complete overdue maintenance on our buildings and roads.” Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park has seven projects totaling nearly $14 million among those announced. The projects funded at C&O Canal are the following;
$12.1 million to repair the Big Slackwater historic stone wall and towpath A full list of National Park Service projects is available at www.interior.gov/recovery/nps. “These important projects will provide much needed jobs in many of the local communities along the canal” Kevin Brandt, Superintendent of Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park said. “They will make the C&O Canal a safer more enjoyable place to visit, will support our community partners along the park, and will help preserve many of the park’s outstanding resources. We are delighted at this opportunity to move these projects forward.” All the projects are long-standing priorities of the National Park Service and meet the criteria put forth in the Recovery Act: namely, that a project addresses the Department’s highest priority mission needs; generates the largest number of jobs in the shortest period of time; and creates lasting value for the American public. Secretary Salazar has pledged unprecedented levels of transparency and accountability in the implementation of the Department’s economic recovery projects. The public will be able to follow the progress of each project on the recovery web site and on www.interior.gov/recovery/nps. 22 Apr 09 - Second Annual C&O Canal Pride Days Kicked off April 18 Great Falls, Potomac, Maryland More than 200 volunteers gathered at Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center area in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Potomac, Maryland on Saturday, April 18 to kickoff the second annual C&O Canal Pride Days. Volunteers installed concrete trail markers, cleared vegetation from trails, raked leaves, mulched around the concession building, completed a thorough spring cleaning of the Historic Great Falls Tavern, painted, and removed invasive plants. C&O Canal Pride Days is expected to attract over 800 volunteers to various locations along the C&O Canal over the next month. The events are intended to spruce up the park for the visitor season and increase appreciation of park resources while providing an opportunity for participants to enjoy the outdoors and meet new people. The work day began with brief remarks by Kevin Brandt, Superintendent of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Karen McManus, representative from the office of Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Roger Berliner, Councilmember of Montgomery County, and Matthew Logan, President of the C&O Canal Trust. Superintendent Brandt thanked the volunteers saying, “On behalf of the over three million annual visitors to the park, I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who are helping us today.” Matthew Logan said “The C&O Canal is lucky to have so many people who care enough about it to spend their free time helping to clean up and beautify our facilities and resources.” The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park preserves the beauty and history of the 184.5 mile long canal. Millions of visitors each year enjoy the natural, cultural and recreational opportunities available in the park. For additional information contact Peggie Gaul 301-223-4151, peggie_gaul@partner.nps.gov or Jenna Warrenfeltz 301-714-2233, warrenfeltz@canaltrust.org 15 Apr 09 - C&O Canal Pride Days Kicks Off On Saturday, April 18, at Great Falls, Potomac, Maryland More than 250 volunteers will demonstrate their Canal Pride when they participate in C&O Canal Pride Days on Saturday, April 18 at Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center area in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Potomac, Maryland. April 18 is the kickoff event for the second annual C&O Canal Pride Days, which will attract over 800 volunteers to several locations along the C&O Canal over the next month. The events are intended to spruce up the park for the spring season, and increase appreciation of park resources while providing an opportunity for participants to enjoy the outdoors and meet new people. On April 18, volunteers will gather at 8:00 a.m. in the parking lot of the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center to register and then take on tasks such as installing concrete trail markers, clearing vegetation from trails, raking leaves, removing invasive plants, mulching, painting, spring cleaning the historic Great Falls Tavern, and improving the grounds around the mule barn. The work day will begin with brief remarks by Kevin Brandt, Superintendent of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Sue Hansen, Chief of Interpretation, National Capital Region of the National Park Service, Karen McManus, representative from the office of Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Roger Berliner, Councilmember of Montgomery County, and Matthew Logan, President of the C&O Canal Trust. For additional information contact Peggie Gaul 301-223-4151, peggie_gaul@partner.nps.gov or Jenna Warrenfeltz 301-714-2233, warrenfeltz@canaltrust.org 14 Apr 09 - Building America’s Canals Traveling Exhibit Returns to C&O Canal Williamsport, MD – Building America’s Canals, an exhibit organized by the National Canal Museum, will open on Friday, April 17 in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Trolley Barn Building at the Cushwa Basin in Williamsport, Maryland. The traveling exhibit blends science and history through hands-on activities that allow children and adults to experience the marvel of canal engineering first-hand. The exhibit will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from April 17 through October 11, 2009. Admission is free. When the exhibit was at Williamsport in 2008 over 11,000 visitors, including over 3,500 school students, visited it. Due to that success, the park is bringing the exhibit back in 2009. Elements of the exhibit include a chance to build your own canal, construct an aqueduct, design and operate lift locks, be your own boat captain, build a suspension bridge, and operate cranes used to load and unload canal boats. Exhibits also provide historical background on the C&O Canal and the role that the canal played in the development of canal towns like Williamsport. C&O Canal Superintendent Kevin Brandt stated, “Williamsport is a classic canal town. It is only appropriate that this exhibit, Building America’s Canals, will be displayed in the historic Trolley Barn in Cushwa Basin in Williamsport. I am thrilled that all Washington County fourth grade classes are participating in the Park Ranger curriculum based education programs associated with the exhibit.” This spring numerous elementary school classes have already scheduled field trips to visit the exhibit and participate in Ranger programs. Spaces are still available for additional school groups to come and see the exhibit. Teachers can call 301-582-0813 to schedule a trip. The C&O Canal Trust in partnership with the C&O Canal National Historical Park has provided support for the Building America’s Canal exhibit. Donations from the Town of Williamsport, Washington County, Eastern National, the C&O Canal Association, Maccaferri, Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Allegheny Energy, Hopewell Manufacturing, GS Images, Ellsworth Electric, and Washington County Public Schools, have all contributed to make the Building America’s Canals exhibit a reality. D.M. Bowman Trucking is transporting the exhibit from Ohio to Williamsport, with their truck arriving on April 15, 2009, at 8:30 a.m. to unload. In conjunction with the opening of the Building America’s Canals exhibit, the C&O Canal National Historical Park Williamsport Visitor Center will extend its hours of operations to 7 days a week, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning April 17. Please contact the Williamsport visitor center at 301-582-0813 for more information about the exhibit or other park programs and services. 02 Apr 09 - C&O Canal Association Donates $40,000 to Park for Big Slackwater Hagerstown, MD – Today the C&O Canal Association presented the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park a $40,000 donation to help fund the cost of an environmental assessment for the Big Slackwater repair project. This brings the C&O Canal Association’s donations to this project to $80,000. “Restoration of the Big Slackwater towpath will enhance visitor safety and encourage heritage tourism that will enhance local and regional economies” said Rachel Stewart, President of the C&O Canal Association. “Slackwater is the priority project for the Association.” Superintendent Kevin Brandt recognized the Association for their support of the park and the Big Slackwater project, and called the donation “…an important step in bringing the project to fruition.” With the assistance of the C&O Canal Association and other partners the C&O Canal National Historical Park has completed the 30% design plans for the repair of Big Slackwater, which is the only break in the 185 mile historic canal towpath that connects Cumberland to Washington, DC. The next phase of the project is the environmental assessment. The repair of Big Slackwater is the park’s highest priority repair project. The Big Slackwater section of the towpath is just west of Dam #4. It was destroyed during the Hurricane Agnes flood of 1972, and damaged again during the floods of 1996. Pedestrians and cyclists have been forced to use a nearly 5 mile detour on a narrow county roadway to by-pass this closure. Over 30 people have been injured in accidents on this detour in the last five years. The C&O Canal Association is a citizens’ association concerned with the conservation of the natural and historical environment of the C&O Canal and the Potomac River Basin. The Association supports the National Park Service in its efforts to preserve and promote 20 Mar 09 - C&O Canal Pride Days The C&O Canal Trust, in partnership with the C&O Canal National Historical Park, seeks energetic and community-minded individuals and organizations to complete maintenance and conservation projects throughout the park during the upcoming C&O Canal Pride Days. Locations and dates are as follows: April 18 at Great Falls, April 25 at Brunswick and Lander, and May 2 at Williamsport and Hancock. Volunteers are needed to mulch, paint, rake leaves, prune and clear vegetation, clean up trash, install picnic tables, and many other tasks. These are projects that the National Park Service cannot accomplish because of time and staffing constraints. The C&O Canal Trust, along with ambitious volunteers will assist the park by completing the tasks. C&O Canal Pride Days is a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, meet new people and participate in the national spirit of unity and service. With your help, C&O Canal Pride Days can mark the beginning of a lasting relationship between yourself, the C&O Canal, and our future. Refreshments will be served and the first 500 volunteers to sign up will receive a T-shirt and complimentary canal boat pass. For more information or to get involved, visit the C&O Canal Trust web site at www.canaltrust.org, email peggie_gaul@partner.nps.gov or call 301.714.2233. 18 Mar 09 - Tom Kozar Artwork Displayed at C & O Canal Williamsport, Md. – Tom Kozar, “Artist in Residence” for the C&O Canal National Historical Park is having a showing of his art work at the at the C&O Canal in Williamsport, Maryland. The exhibit will be shown in the Trolley building next to the Williamsport Visitor Center. The opening day of the exhibit is March 21, from 2pm to 8 pm, with a reception and opportunity to meet the artist from 4 pm to 6pm. The exhibit will be open on Sunday, March 22, noon to 4 pm; Saturday, March 28, 10 am to 4 pm; and Sunday, March 29, noon – 4 pm. The theme of the show will be “Ladies on the Canal”, highlighting Kozar’s new series. The show will include canal-related works, both originals and prints, of various scenes along the canal, from Georgetown to Cumberland. This is a great opportunity to view the range of Kozar’s work. 29 Jan 09 - Park Offers Reward for Identifying Those Responsible for Burglary from Lock House 49 The National Park Service is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of suspects responsible for the burglary and theft of property from Lock House 49 in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. This site is located in the Four Locks area of Washington County, Maryland. Sometime between Thursday night January 22, 2009, and Friday morning January 23, 2009, unknown person or persons broke into the historic lock house and stole various items. Any persons with information regarding this crime are asked to call the National Park Service Toll Free Number 1-866-677-6677 or contact U.S. Park Ranger Leigh Zahm at (301) 491-6267. Callers may remain anonymous. |