Youths clean up village locks

PHOTO BY JOHN ZORNOW  

Eighty-five youths from Youth Impact of Wayne County spent a day uncovering three Canal locks in Newark.  

By JOHN ZORNOW
jzornow@cgazette.com  

NEWARK - This community is often reminded that it owes its existence to the Erie Canal. It's a true canal town. Visitors to the Lockville area are shocked to see that remnants of 189-year-old locks still exist. A best-kept secret?

Youth Impact of Wayne County partnered with the village of Newark last Saturday, April 25, to clean up and uncover the three locks of yesteryear between North Clinton and Lyons streets.

The group of 85 from the consortium of interdenominational Wayne County churches that work together to serve youths grade 6 to 12 started the day with breakfast at the First Baptist Church. Lunch was provided by the village and Domino's Pizza. The group removed over seven truckloads of brush and awaited the arrival of village crews on Monday.

Sara Eden, pastor of youth and children at Williamson United Methodist Church, and Steve Matteson, pastor at First Baptist Church in Newark, coordinated the effort.

Newark Mayor Peter Blandino was present to get in on the action.

'It was truly an honor to have this youth group in our village,' he said. 'The pride that the kids exhibited was ever-present.'

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