43
With more than 40 locations in the Mill Creek MetroParks system needing attention, more participants are needed to lend a hand and participate in this year’s Earth Day Cleanup.
Although more than 300 scouts and volunteers are expected to scour Mill Creek MetroParks in recognition of Earth Day to remove winter buildup of litter and debris, more help is needed. The cleanup is co-sponsored by the Whispering Pines District, Great Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America and Mill Creek MetroParks.
The cleanup will take place on April 27, throughout Mill Creek MetroParks. Coordinators will stop by the Warming House at the Wick Recreation Area (Rocky Ridge) 1861 McCollum Road, Youngstown, to pick up supplies before 9 a.m. and then meet with their groups at various locations and work until noon. This cleanup takes place rain or shine.
In 36 years, more than 12,300 participants have volunteered more than 37,400 hours to clean various areas of the MetroParks. Just in the past 17 years, more than 2,600 bags of trash and 1,300 bags of recyclables along with numerous loose items such as tires, toys, furniture, pipes, wood crates, electronic items and even the proverbial kitchen sink, have been removed. Each year, there are fewer bags of trash but more bags of recyclables.
As in years past, sponsorship of this event is in cooperation with the Recycling Division of the Mahoning County Green Team. They will provide volunteers with trash and recycling bags, gloves and grab-its, as well as pencils, certificates and car litter bags for each participant.
This event is also in conjunction with the Keep America Beautiful Great American Cleanup, the country’s largest community improvement program that kicks off in more than 20,000 communities each spring. This national program engages more than 5 million volunteers and participants who take action in their communities every year to create positive change and lasting impact. Details can be found at https://www.kab.org/our-partners.
The MetroParks hosts the event by facilitating the organization and registration of groups, sites and supplies.
Areas within this cleanup include Mill Creek Park and Mill Creek MetroParks Regional Facilities Yellow Creek Park and the MetroParks Farm.
For more information about this year’s cleanup or to have a group, organization, church, school, family or individual come out and volunteer, contact Carol Vigorito at 330-740-7114, ext. 104, or Mike Kupec, Mill Creek MetroParks Earth Day Cleanup Chairman for the Boy Scouts at 330-519-3988.