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Community Corner

C&O Canal Pride Days Launched in Fletchers Cove

Annual volunteer project proceeded despite government shutdown threat.

The C&O Canal Trust commenced its 4th annual Pride Days event April 9 in Fletchers Cove. Roughly 70 volunteers congregated to help prepare the park for the Spring season on Saturday morning, nearly 40 people less than usual.

Just hours before it was confirmed there was not going to be a federal government shutdown, the C&O Canal Trust, the official non-profit partner to the C&O National Historic Park, was preparing to postpone the event to a later date.

"We got the word out to all of our volunteers that if the park closed, the event would have to be rescheduled," said Matthew Logan, President of the C&O Canal Trust.

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According to Logan, out of the 85 park employees, only 17 would be deemed "essential" in the event of a shutdown. To his estimation, those included 13-14 law enforcement personnel and 3 construction workers.

The crew of volunteers that showed up despite the uncertainty the night before, however, came to Fletchers Cove prepared to work. Projects included removing rusted grilles and replacing them with new ones, pouring and flattening stone foundations for picnic tables, clearing trash and pruning and removing overgrown vegetation from historic structures, such as a mill that many did not know existed until now.

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The Trust's main function is to be a community voice for the park, says Logan. "We talk to community groups, volunteer organizations and individuals--those are the people we take our direction from."

"We have seen a lot of growth in four years," adds Jenna Warrenfeltz, the Development and Communications Manager for the C&O Canal Trust. Warrenfeltz has attended every Pride Days event since its start and insists that it is beginning to feel like a "community of volunteers."

The next volunteer opportunity is this Saturday, April 16th at McCoys Ferry Campground, followed by the final Pride Days event which will be held in Georgetown on Saturday, May 7th.

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