Volunteers Needed for Fox River Cleanup

The Village of Oswego’s Environmentally Conscious Oswego (ECO) Committee plans a clean-up along the banks of the Fox River on Saturday, Aug. 9. ECO is currently seeking volunteers to help clean up the Oswego riverfront, collect trash out of the river and off the shorelines, recycle it or dispose of it properly. 

The clean-up will take place along the Fox River, starting at Violet Patch Park, downstream to Hudson Crossing Park, including the confluence of Waubonsie Creek and the Fox River.  Volunteers on land will clean the shoreline of public property along the river, including the bike trail and parks.  Volunteers on the water will clean the shoreline between these parks.

ECO will award a $25 prize for the most unusual item retrieved from the river.

Volunteers will meet at Violet Patch Park at 10:30 a.m., then divide into teams with specific assigned areas.  Volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves and wear mud boots. Volunteers will continue the clean-up until noon, then get together for lunch at 12:30 at Hudson Crossing Park.

In addition to the ECO Committee, the Illinois Water Trailkeepers will contribute to the clean-up.  The Prairie State Canoeists (PSC) will lead the clean up on the water, using their own canoes, kayaks and tools supplied by PSC.  Car shift will be at 9:30 a.m. from the park on the west side of the Fox, downstream from the Montgomery Dam and upstream from the Mill Street Bridge. Canoeists and kayakers can sign up for the clean-up at: http://www.illinoispaddling.org/trailkeepers.    

To volunteer for the Oswego Fox River Rescue, contact the Village of Oswego Community Development Department at 630-554-3618 or eco@oswegoil.org