The Canal Steward Program is designed to engage groups and - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

National Park Service
 U.S. Department of the Interior Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
 National Historical Park

Park Resources Canal Steward Program

What is the Canal Steward Program? The Canal Steward Program is designed to engage groups and individuals in a long-term volunteer relationship in which they become caretakers of a designated site within the Park.

National Park Service
 U.S. Department of the Interior Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
 National Historical Park

Park Resources Canal Steward Program

What do Canal Stewards do?

• Site Maintenance

Basic maintenance tasks including:

▪ Mowing ▪ Trash pick-up ▪ Cleaning signage ▪ Painting ▪ Pruning vegetation ▪ Visually inspecting adopted area for safety, trees, and other hazards ▪ Reporting hazards to Park Staff

• Work Independently

After an initial site visit and training, Stewards develop their own schedule

National Park Service
 U.S. Department of the Interior Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
 National Historical Park

Park Resources Canal Steward Program

What is the role of Park Volunteer Program Staff?

• Recruit and coordinate Stewards
• Provide necessary tools and materials
• Provide training, guidance, advice, and inspection of

work in conjunction with other Park Staff

National Park Service
 U.S. Department of the Interior Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
 National Historical Park

Park Resources Canal Steward Program

How do Stewards know what to do?

• All Stewards sign an adoption package that

includes work tasks associated with their adopted site.

• Example:

MAINTENANCE TASKS – These tasks are to be completed at your adopted site as part of the 


Canal Steward Program.

• 1. Remove trash, recycling, and debris from the site. Trash should be bagged and removed.

Frequency: Once per week

• 2. Use Ivory soap solution and a cloth rag or sponge to clean signage as specified in your adoption.

Frequency: Once per month

• 3. Brush trail to maintain clear trail tread. 


Frequency: Once per season

• 4. Visually inspect the area for any tree hazards such as hanging tree limbs or leaning trees. Report

to Volunteer Coordinator.
 Frequency: Every time you are in the park

National Park Service
 U.S. Department of the Interior Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
 National Historical Park

Park Resources Canal Steward Program

Canal Steward Volunteer Documents

• Adoption Package
• Volunteer Service Agreement
• Canal Steward Renewal Form

National Park Service
 U.S. Department of the Interior Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
 National Historical Park

Park Resources

Stewards receive:

• Training
• Tools/

Materials

• Uniform Items
• Recognition

Canal Steward Program

What do Canal Stewards receive from the Park?

National Park Service
 U.S. Department of the Interior Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
 National Historical Park

Park Resources Canal Steward Program

What types of sites are adopted?

• Historic Structures
• Towpath Miles
• Campgrounds
• Trails
• Boat Ramps

National Park Service
 U.S. Department of the Interior Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
 National Historical Park

Park Resources Canal Steward Program

Example Adoption: Cumberland Spring Gap Campground and Mile 173: 


MAINTENANCE TASKS – These tasks are to be completed at your

adopted site as part of the Canal Steward Program.

• 1. Remove trash, recycling, and debris from the site. Trash should be

bagged and removed. 
 Frequency: Once per week

• 2. Use Ivory soap solution and a cloth rag or sponge to clean signage

as specified in your adoption. 
 Frequency: Once per month

• 3. Apply a fresh coat of paint to any items currently painted Rich

Brown (i.e. park sign posts, bollards, water fountains, water pumps, and picnic tables. Contact the Canal Steward Intern to get paint and supplies. 
 Frequency: Once per year

• 4. Visually inspect the area for any tree hazards such as hanging tree

limbs or leaning trees. Report to Volunteer Coordinator.
 Frequency: Every time you are in the park

National Park Service
 U.S. Department of the Interior Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
 National Historical Park

Park Resources Canal Steward Program

Example Adoption: Hancock Little Tonoloway Day Use Area: 


MAINTENANCE TASKS – These tasks are to be completed at your

adopted site as part of the Canal Steward Program.

• 1. Remove trash, recycling, and debris from the site. Trash should be

bagged and removed. 
 Frequency: Once per week


• 2. Use Ivory soap solution and a cloth rag or sponge to clean signage

as specified in your adoption. 
 Frequency: Once per month

• 3. Apply a fresh coat of paint to any items currently painted Rich

Brown (i.e. park sign posts, bollards, water fountains, water pumps, and picnic tables. Contact the Canal Steward Intern to get paint and supplies. 
 Frequency: Once per year

• 4. Replace “Trash Free Park” bags in dispenser on site. 


Frequency: Every time you are in the park


• 5. Prune vegetation back along the edge of the day use area.


Frequency: Twice per year

National Park Service
 U.S. Department of the Interior Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
 National Historical Park

Park Resources Canal Steward Program

Example Adoption: Hancock Little Pool Hiker Biker Campsite: 


MAINTENANCE TASKS – These tasks are to be completed at your

adopted site as part of the Canal Steward Program. 1. Remove trash, recycling, and debris from the site. Trash should be bagged and removed. Frequency: Once per week 1. Apply a fresh coat of paint to any items currently painted Rich Brown (i.e. park sign posts, bollards, water fountains, water pumps, and picnic tables. Contact the Canal Steward Intern to get paint and supplies. 
 Frequency: Once per year 1. Replace “Trash Free Park” bags in dispenser on site. 
 Frequency: Every time you are in the park
 2. Remove ashes from grills and fire rings. Cold ashes may be distributed beyond the tree line.
 Frequency: Once per month
 3. Paint grills and fire rings to prevent rust Frequency: Twice per year (spring and fall)

National Park Service
 U.S. Department of the Interior Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
 National Historical Park

Park Resources Canal Steward Program

Example Adoption: Williamsport McCoy’s Ferry Campsite: 


MAINTENANCE TASKS – These tasks are to be completed at your

adopted site as part of the Canal Steward Program.

• 1. Remove trash, recycling, and debris from the site. Trash should be

bagged and removed. 
 Frequency: Once per week

• 2. Prune vegetation back along the edge of the day use area.


Frequency: Twice per year

• 3. Replace “Trash Free Park” bags in dispenser on site. 


Frequency: Every time you are in the park


• 4. Remove ashes from grills and fire rings. Cold ashes may be

distributed beyond the tree line.
 Frequency: Once per month


• 5. Paint grills and fire rings to prevent rust.


Frequency: Twice per year (spring and fall)

National Park Service
 U.S. Department of the Interior Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
 National Historical Park

Park Resources Canal Steward Program

Example Adoption: Shepherdstown/Sharpsburg Antietam Creek Campground: 


MAINTENANCE TASKS – These tasks are to be completed at your

adopted site as part of the Canal Steward Program.

• 1. Remove trash, recycling, and debris from the site. Trash should be

bagged and removed. 
 Frequency: Once per week

• 2. Prune vegetation back along the edge of the day use area.


Frequency: Twice per year

• 3. Replace “Trash Free Park” bags in dispenser on site. 


Frequency: Every time you are in the park


• 4. Remove ashes from grills and fire rings. Cold ashes may be

distributed beyond the tree line.
 Frequency: Once per month


• 5. Paint grills and fire rings to prevent rust


Frequency: Twice per year (spring and fall)


• 6. Visually inspect area for any hazards to visitors including trees/

hanging limbs.
 Frequency: Every time you are in the park

National Park Service
 U.S. Department of the Interior Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
 National Historical Park

Park Resources Canal Steward Program

Example Adoption: Harpers Ferry Lock 34 Area: 


MAINTENANCE TASKS – These tasks are to be completed at your

adopted site as part of the Canal Steward Program.

• 1. Remove trash, recycling, and debris from the site. Trash should be

bagged and removed. 
 Frequency: Once per week

• 2. Remove woody debris from lock 34. 


Frequency: Once per week

• 3. Replace “Trash Free Park” bags in dispenser on site. 


Frequency: Every time you are in the park


• 4. Use Ivory soap solution and a cloth rag or sponge to clean signage

as specified in your adoption. 
 Frequency: Once per month


• 5. Visually inspect area for any hazards to visitors including trees/

hanging limbs.
 Frequency: Every time you are in the park

National Park Service
 U.S. Department of the Interior Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
 National Historical Park

Park Resources Canal Steward Program

Example Adoption: Brunswick Catoctin Aqueduct: 


MAINTENANCE TASKS – These tasks are to be completed at your

adopted site as part of the Canal Steward Program.

• 1. Remove trash, recycling, and debris from the site. Trash should be

bagged and removed. 
 Frequency: Once per week


• 2. Use Ivory soap solution and a cloth rag or sponge to clean signage

as specified in your adoption. 
 Frequency: Once per month


• 3. Mulch path leading to the waysides


Frequency: Once per year


• 4. Visually inspect area for any hazards to visitors including trees/

hanging limbs.
 Frequency: Every time you are in the park

National Park Service
 U.S. Department of the Interior Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
 National Historical Park

Park Resources Canal Steward Program

Example Adoption: Point of Rocks Point of Rocks Boat Ramp: 


MAINTENANCE TASKS – These tasks are to be completed at your

adopted site as part of the Canal Steward Program.

• 1. Remove trash, recycling, and debris from the site. Trash should be

bagged and removed. 
 Frequency: Once per week


• 2. Use Ivory soap solution and a cloth rag or sponge to clean signage

as specified in your adoption.
 Frequency: Once per month


• 3. Replace “Trash Free Park” bags in dispenser on site. 


Frequency: Every time you are in the park


• 4. Apply a fresh coat of paint to any items currently painted Rich

Brown (i.e. park sign posts, bollards, water fountains, water pumps, and picnic tables. Contact the Canal Steward Intern to get paint and supplies. 
 Frequency: Once per year


• 5. Visually inspect area for any hazards to visitors including trees/

hanging limbs.
 Frequency: Every time you are in the park

National Park Service
 U.S. Department of the Interior Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
 National Historical Park

Park Resources Canal Steward Program

Contact Information

• Isaac Pallant, Canal Steward Program Intern


chohcsp@gmail.com


• Emily Hewitt, Volunteer Coordinator

301-714-2219

• C&O Canal Volunteer Website

chohvip.org