MOSQUITO CREEK Community pitches in for cleanup effort

As the project progresses, the plans for developing the surrounding area grow.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- Dave Wilkerson remembers playing and fishing in Mosquito Creek as a child.
Everyone in the neighborhood would play along the banks, dunk their fishing poles into the water, or simply splash around.
It's those simple pleasures Wilkerson would like to see his three children enjoy.
"I live five houses down from where I was born and raised," he explains, referring to his Morris Place home. "I played in that creek with my friends when we were kids, but now everything is just so overgrown."
He said he thought it was a shame such a wonderful resource was unkempt, and that's what spurred him into action.
Wilkerson, 42, who ran for city council's 1st Ward seat last fall, teamed up with his former political rival, Councilman Frank Fuda, to launch a cleanup of the creek.
Since July, the two have worked with teams of volunteers to clear plants and fallen trees from the banks of Mosquito Creek. From that initial cleaning, Wilkerson said, things have snowballed.
"For so long, that creek was somewhat dormant; it was used very little," Wilkerson explained. "I just thought it was always a nice place that could have a lot more use."
Large crew
Others have felt the same, he notes, since volunteers have come from all areas of the city, including local neighbors, area business people and the high school's Red Dragons football team.
"Those kids really busted themselves helping us out," Wilkerson said. "They did a really great job for us."
Originally, Wilkerson and Fuda thought it would take several summers to clear the area enough to make room for the construction of a canoe dock and fishing pier.
But as cleanups have progressed in the past few months, the plans for the area near Kennedy Park have grown as well, Wilkerson noted.
Last week, city council approved a donation of $2,300 from the Niles Beautification Committee for use toward the purchase and construction of a pavilion at the park. Wilkerson said he's working with officials from the Home Depot in Niles for delivery and installation of the structure.
"The people we've worked with there have been great," he said. "They are even talking about helping the next time we have a volunteer cleanup."
Officials from Fairhaven Industries are also interested in the area's future, he added. Clients of Fairhaven would be able to use the fishing pier, as well as a walkway that might be developed.
"With the pavilion, we are thinking we could install some grills, and make a paved walkway to the dock and fishing area," Wilkerson said.
Community effort
City officials, including Fuda, have worked with volunteers to clean and develop the area, Wilkerson noted, which makes the entire project a community effort.
"This is something that will be great for everyone," he said. "Families will be able to come, enjoy the park and the creek, have a picnic, play baseball or basketball, or just about anything."
Organizers are still looking for volunteers to help with clearing the creek banks, Wilkerson said. The next cleanup day is set for 8:30 a.m. Saturday, with volunteers meeting at Kennedy Park.
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Wilkerson at (330) 652-4454, Fuda at (330) 652-0775 or the city's Parks and Recreation office at (330) 544-9000, Ext. 175.
slshaulis@vindy.com