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On September 12, representatives of the National Park Service (NPS), the District, and community nonprofit Georgetown Heritage will preside at a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating renovations to two key locks along the first mile of the historic C&O Canal.
The Georgetown portion of the 184.5-mile canal is undergoing a broader revitalization program aimed at attracting more visitors with new features and activities. “Held at Lock 3 on the Canal (Thomas Jefferson Street), the [September 12] event will include brief remarks as the Park Service marks the completion of repairs to Locks 3 & 4,” said the Georgetown Business Improvement District in a newsletter Thursday. “Georgetown Heritage will share exciting updates about the Canal Boat returning in 2020, and the Georgetown Canal Plan, plus kids’ activities, demonstrations, and live music.” The overall project is set to take years.
In April, workers tested the partially renovated locks by letting water flow through them. A visitor center, educational spaces, and a mule yard are proposed for other parts of the canal.