Canal Trail Clean Up

Canal Trail Clean Up-November 18, 2023

Members of the Canal Commission, the Weldon Town Council, Weldon in Action, and local residents all joined together on a beautiful November Saturday to save the Aqueduct from being engulfed by overgrowth and debris, especially the invasive Elaeagnus plant. The Aqueduct will turn 200 years old in 2024.

Commissioner Nancy Sandoval and WIA member/Commissioner-Elect Jennifer Cox worked on cutting brush back on the slope above the drop off and clearing the deck. WIA members, Weldon volunteers, and Greg Brown, the new Canal Commission President all worked very hard climbing up and down the embankment to clear brush, small trees and overgrowth.  This took agility, courage and strength.  It was not a job for the faint of heart. The group got a great rhythm going and have an idea of what is needed for the future. Another clean up day will be planned in the near future to free up another place in the overlook and the stairs down to the rocks---they used to be there.  Can we uncover them? We hope so! 

Special thanks to Lindbergh Harlow for sharing his ATV and to the Weldon Fire Department for loaning the mule that helped remove bushes and small trees. Sincere gratitude goes to the U.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Service for identifying the supplies we needed and providing the instruction for safely treating the Elaeagnus.  

The group worked until 1pm and then celebrated their success with lunch at the Sunshine Grill.