Volunteers wanted for DuPage River Sweep

Individuals, families and community groups are invited to pitch in Saturday, May 20, when a countywide effort gets under way to clean rivers and other waterways in DuPage County.

Glen Ellyn Park District is joining forces with several other environmentally-friendly agencies for the 2017 DuPage County River Sweep.

"The cleanup focuses on the east and west branches of the DuPage River," said Renae Frigo, naturalist with the district. "A few years ago, The Conservation Foundation asked the Glen Ellyn Park District to step in and help coordinate the local effort."

The sweep, an annual one-day event, began in 1991 and is coordinated by The Conservation Foundation, a nonprofit, Naperville-based land and watershed protection organization.

Since it started, more than 261 tons of trash have been removed from DuPage County rivers by a volunteer force that numbers close to 12,000.

The park district's portion of this year's project focuses on a one-mile stretch of the DuPage River that winds through the Churchill Woods Forest Preserve.

"With many islands and lagoons, there is a lot of water frontage," Frigo said.

Volunteers in Glen Ellyn mainly will concentrate on removing debris from the shoreline. Frigo said the day also may include some invasive plant control.

While the park district will supply some gloves, bags and trash pickers, Frigo said she recommends volunteers bring leather gloves, rubber boots, sunscreen, insect repellent, long pants, and a hat.

"It can get muddy, so bring boots," she said.

The day begins at 9 a.m. and continues until about noon. Volunteers will meet in the westernmost parking lot at the preserve, 900 W. St. Charles Road, Lombard.

Volunteers from Lombard will share cleanup duties for this portion of the river with park district volunteers. The Lombard liaison is expected to bring a kayak to help with trash removal.

Frigo said some odd items have been retrieved from the river in past river sweeps.

"Last year, we pulled a safe out of the river," she said. "And I think I pulled a toboggan out."

Other oddities have included lawn ornaments, tires, shoes, and a Hula-Hoop.

Registration is required to participate; there is no fee. To register, visit www.gepark.org/dupage-county-river-sweep or www.theconservationfoundation.org/sweep.