Conservation, parks departments organize Saturday cleanup drives

Appliances, car parts and clothing were all pulled out of Cape LaCroix Creek during last year's "Bashin' Trash" event, and this year, the volunteers will take on the Mississippi riverfront in Cape Girardeau on Saturday.

Meanwhile the Cape Girardeau and Jackson parks departments have also organized separate cleanup days for their

parks.

Organized by the Missouri Department of Conservation in Cape Girardeau and the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department, the event is in its seventh year. Organizer Sara Turner with the conservation department said it's hard to say how much trash this year's cleanup of the riverfront will produce, but she's anxious to begin because the trash pollutes waterways and affects aquatic wildlife.

"You never know how much junk will be near the river because the water levels are constantly changing and bringing in more trash," Turner said. "But our hope is to work our way up to Sloan Creek."

This year's riverfront cleanup efforts in Cape Girardeau are from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, with participants meeting at the downtown parking lot near Hutson's Fine Furniture. A lunch and presentation at Capaha Park will follow the cleanup.

Groups, families and individuals register to participate through the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center, and are assigned to a specific section of the riverfront. Turner said 80 people have volunteered so far, but she is hoping for more.

"The more volunteers we have, the better we will do," Turner said.

The city parks and recreation department will also host its 27th Friends of the Parks Day. Participants will help clean up and beautify parks across the city, including facilities like Cape Splash and the Osage Centre, as well as the parks themselves. Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. at Capaha Park, and they'll receive a free lunch for their efforts. No registration is required.

"The volunteers have a tremendous effect because they are able to get to things we might not always catch," said Brock Davis, Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation manager. "This is always a major cleanup, and in the end everyone leaves knowing how much we appreciate their time."

Jackson's parks department will also host a cleanup event, Jackson Parks Day, from 8 to 11 a.m. at Jackson City Park. Jackson parks director Shane Anderson said it's a chance to give back to the park that so many enjoy all year round. He estimates the effort normally gets between 150 to 200 volunteers.

"Although this is normally a minor job, it's still important," Anderson said. "We do some cleanup and some beautification projects, like planting flowers. It's a testament to our community that we get so many on board every year."

To register to help the riverfront cleanup, contact the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center at 290-5218. To help with the Jackson City Park cleanup, contact the Jackson Parks and Recreation Department at 204-8848. For more information on Friends of the Parks Day in Cape Girardeau, call the parks department at 339-6340.

jsamons@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

1 N. Main St., Cape Girardeau, MO

Capaha Park, Cape Girardeau, MO

Jackson City Park, Jackson, MO