NYS Canal Corporation to Kick-Off Annual CanalWays Program

ALBANY, NY (06/03/2007)(readMedia)-- Carmella R. Mantello, Director of the New York State Canal Corporation, and officials from the Waterford Historical Museum will join nearly 70 school children from the Gardner Dickinson School in Wynantskill and the Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School in Ghent on a boat ride aboard the Grand Erie in Waterford on Monday, June 4, 2007 to help kick-off the fourth annual CanalWays program.

The Grand Erie will travel through Lock E-2 in Waterford, Saratoga County, at 10:55 a.m. and will disembark at 11:35 a.m. (directions below). The CanalWays Program, featuring the Canal Corporation’s Tug Urger and Grand Erie, is a joint educational program developed in conjunction with the Waterford Historical Museum, the Town of Waterford and Peebles Island State Park to promote the history of the Erie Canal. In 2007, the four-day program is expected to host more than 500 school children from the Capital Region.

Participating students will spend roughly four hours in Waterford, visiting five different stations, including the Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center, Peebles Island State Park, the Waterford Visitors Center, Tug Urger and Lock E-2. While at each site, the students will have the opportunity to learn hands-on about the local maritime history of Waterford and the significant role the Canal System has played in the Capital Region and in the development of New York State and the nation. Members of the media, including photographers, are invited to attend. For more information regarding this event, please call the New York State Canal Corporation at (518) 436-3055.

Directions to Lock E-2 in Waterford: Take the NYS Thruway to Interchange 23 to I-787 and continue northbound to the end. Turn right onto Route 32 (Saratoga Avenue) north over bridge into Waterford. Follow Saratoga Avenue to the end (it will become 9th Street) and cross bridge over Erie Canal. Bear right sharply onto Broad Street and head toward Village. Just after passing St. Mary’s Church on left, cross small bridge over old Champlain Canal. Take an immediate right after the bridge at the sign for Lock 2, onto the Lock 2 access road. Cross over small bridge over spillway and park in parking lot by Lock house. Lock 2 also is within a short walk of the Waterford Visitor Center and promenade.

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