Volunteers gathered Saturday to clean up the Walnutport Canal Park and areas in Slatington.

“I am so pleased with all the volunteers who came out today to help clean up the canal,” said Brenda Morris, vice president of the Walnutport Canal. “We have such a wonderful crowd of people. The cleanup is most needed after a long cold winter. I want to thank Thrivent Financial for their continued support of our refreshments for our event.”

The mission statement of the Walnutport Canal Association is “To maintain and preserve the Walnutport section of the Lehigh Canal and to present as interpretive history of the Canal Era at the Locktender’s House.”

The Locktender’s House and Heritage Center Museum will be open for tours from 1-3 p.m. on May 24, June 28, July 19, Aug. 16, and Sept. 20.

The restored 1829 Locktender’s House with period furnishings of the early 19th century is an attraction on the Delaware & Lehigh Trail.

There are canal locks, a 4½ mile towpath, picnic areas and canal where people can fish and enjoy nature.

In Slatington, about 30 volunteers donated their time for the cleanup.

Slatington Fire Department assisted with standby at their station for any assistance that may have been needed.

Ryan Mayberry, president of borough council, was among the volunteers.

Robert Stettner, of the historical and 250th committee said, “Even though we had fewer volunteers and community groups participate this year, we were still able to clean the length of Slate Heritage Trail in Slatington, along with borough parks and playgrounds.”

He said the group was able to tackle a few problem areas just off the Slate Heritage Trail.

Boy Scout Troop 66 thoroughly cleaned Victory Park.

Springside Sportsman Club cleaned a portion of Trout Creek.

As part of the 250 Celebration this year, the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful organization urged communities to perform special community cleanup or beautification projects.

The Slatington Parks & Recreation Committee chose to paint over the graffiti on the trestle bridge on the Slate Heritage Trail.

The Borough of Slatington provided the paint and equipment, and members of Slatington Fire Department painted the bridge following the cleanup.

“The fire department was a huge help in picking up collected trash off the trail using their ATV, letting the volunteers eat lunch in their kitchen, and painting the trestle,” Stettner said.