On Saturday, one of several Great Lehigh Canal Clean Ups took place at the Weissport Trailhead. Twenty people came out to clear invasives from the canal bank, pick up trash, and remove all sorts of debris. Most of the work was done south of Interchange Road, an area that has received less attention than the trailhead on the other side of the road but is an important access point to Parryville.

The clean up was truly a cooperative, community effort. The Carbon Service Corporation donated a dumpster to dispose of the collected trash and debris. The Borough of Jim Thorpe loaned a chipper-shredder and a skilled operator to grind up clippings. Members of Concerned Citizens of Weissport cooked hotdogs for the volunteers, which they washed down with bottled water donated by Aquafina. PennDOT provided safety vests, gloves, and garbage bags. Weissport even provided police coverage, pedestrian crossing signs, and orange safety cones!

Most important of all, this was the first organized event of the recently-formed Carbon County Trail Tenders. Under enthusiastic leadership and with lots of exciting trail developments in the county, this chapter should make significant progress in the next year. If you are interested in joining them, please contact chapter leader Doug Makofka at doug@makofka.org.

Despite temperatures near 90 degrees, this weekend a group of volunteers moved forward in the effort to clean up the Lehigh Canal. On Saturday, April 25, a canal cleanup event was held as part of the Great Lehigh County Cleanup in the Borough of Catasauqua. This event was held in conjunction with the Great PA Cleanup.

A group of about twenty persons gathered to remove trash and invasive plants from the canal and its banks. Participants included the D&L, members of Borough Council, Historic Catasauqua Preservation Society, Lehigh County Juvenile Probation Department, Lehigh County Parks Department and local businesses.

While much work remains, we got off to a great start in the effort to remove the canal of invasive plants and replant the canal and railroad banks with native grasses and wildflowers.

Mark your calendars! The 10th Annual Wyoming Valley RiverFest will be held the weekend of June 19th -21st. RiverFest will begin on the afternoon of Friday, June 19th with the dedication and grand opening of the Wilkes-Barre River Common. This $30 million new park in downtown Wilkes-Barre includes a fishing pier and boat launch, a quarter mile of paved walkways, ornamental gardens, a 4,000 person amphitheater with granite seating, two portals through the levy that reconnect the park with the Susquehanna, and water fountains at the Millennium Circle.

RiverFest continues on Saturday, June 20th in Nesbitt Park from 1pm to 6pm with live music, exhibits, vendors, food, fun and activities for all ages. Enjoy the chance to view the live birds of prey and mammals or take a guided hike through the historic Olmsted Park and riparian forest that adjoins the river in Kirby Park. Kids can look forward to pony rides, field games, a moon walk, kids’ tree climb, rock climbing wall, kayaking demos, arts and crafts projects, live animals, fishing & fly tying demos, and children’s bike safety program with free helmet give away.

RiverFest is always a good time, but the 10th annual celebration promises to be the best festival yet. Exhibit space is still available. Please contact Vincent Cortrone at vjc1@psu.edu to reserve a table.