Volunteers Remove 40-50 Tons of Debris from Park

By Mark Geary, Reporter

Volunteers work to remove debris from along the east shore of the Iowa River near the Peninsula dam and walkway during the "Take Me To The River" flood cleanup event Sunday, April 19, 2009 in Iowa City. An estimated 150 volunteers collected trash and removed woody debris to help develop a portage of safe passage for canoe and kayak enthusiasts who would like to enjoy the Iowa River as part of the Iowa Water Trail. (Brian Ray/The Gazette)

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Apr 19, 2009 at 4:35 PM CST

Story Updated: Apr 19, 2009 at 10:54 PM CST

IOWA CITY – Sticks, plastic bags and cans are just a few examples of the debris last summer's floods left behind in Iowa's waterways.

About 125 volunteers spent Sunday afternoon doing some major spring cleaning at Iowa City's Peninsula Park.

Even though the flood water has washed away, remnants of its wrath remain.

"We're finding a lot of plastic bags, aluminum cans, weird stuff...bones,” University of Iowa student Lindsey Rhea said.

University of Iowa student Marcy Rahn said, “Earlier, I found a giant fish skeleton. It was pretty big, so that was cool.”

Yet, sticks and branches made most of the mess at Iowa City's Peninsula Park

"Getting a lot of this woody stuff out of here to get some of that green stuff back in,” Rahn said.

Many felt overwhelmed when they first got started....

"I guess lifting is always the hardest part,” University of Iowa student Nick Heaverlo said.

But, after a couple hours, workers had few complaints.

"I enjoy being out in the woods. I grew up in a wooded area,” University of Iowa student Alec Monachino said.

Projects like this help ensure future generations will have the same chance to enjoy nature.

"It brings a real awareness to us that what we throw away or just let blow away goes somewhere,” Public Works Volunteer Coordinator Carol Sweeting said.

By the end of the event, volunteers had pulled 40-50 tons of debris out of the park and waterway. Now, the plan is to turn all the branches into mulch.
If Iowa City had paid crews to clean up the park, it would have cost the city more than six-thousand dollars.

The city will host another volunteer cleanup next Sunday. More details about the location will be available later this week.

E-mail Mark Geary at Mark.Geary@kcrg.com or follow him on Twitter.

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