Friends of the Rouge will celebrate its 29th Annual Rouge Rescue May 30 at dozens of locations in three counties.
One of the largest annual river cleanup events in the nation, Rouge Rescue has evolved from a strictly cleanup event to a family friendly educational and stewardship event that brings out nearly 2,000 people each year.
Volunteers participate in a variety of activities, from planting native plants, removing invasive plants, trail maintenance, bird house building, trash cleanup, and managing large woody debris in the river to improve the Rouge River’s health, appearance and recreational opportunities.
Friends of the Rouge welcomes children, students, adults and families, corporate and social groups to participate in hands-on activities that make a lasting impact on the river. Event details are listed on the Friends website, www.therouge.org. Click on “Rouge Rescue” to learn more and find a nearby work site.
Spanning 467 square miles, the Rouge River watershed is one of the largest urban watersheds in the state of Michigan. This year, Rouge Rescue events will be hosted at 36 sites in 20 communities – from Detroit to Bloomfield Township to Novi to Superior Township.
May 30 work sites are:
• Douglas Evans Nature Preserve, Beverly Hills.
• Lower Rouge Recreational Trail, Canton Township.
• Meadows of Canton, Canton Township.
• Workman Elementary Habitat, Canton Township.
• Ford Field Gateway Trail, Dearborn.
• Henry Ford College, Dearborn.
• Henry Ford Estate, Dearborn.
• University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn.
• Parkland Park, Dearborn Heights.
• Eliza Howell Park, Detroit.
• Rouge Park, Detroit.
• Rouge Valley Parkway, Detroit.
• St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center, Detroit.
• Botsford Commons Senior Community, Farmington Hills.
• Heritage Park, Farmington Hills.
• Oakland Community College Orchard Ridge Campus, Farmington Hills.
• Bicentennial Park, Livonia.
• Allen Drive Park, Northville.
• Mill Race Village, Northville.
• Park Clean-up Day at Bennett Arboretum, Northville.
• Rotary Park, Novi.
• Lion’s Club Park, Plymouth.
• Plymouth Township Park, Plymouth Township.
• Lola Valley Park, Redford Township.
• Berberian Woods, Southfield.
• Denso Corporate Campus, Southfield (not open to the public).
• Lawrence Tech, Southfield.
• Kosch-Headwaters Preserve, Superior Township.
• Goudy Park, Wayne.
June 6 work sites are:
• Linden Park, Birmingham.
• Aisin Corporate Headquarters, Northville Twp (open to the public).
• Beech Woods Recreation Center, Southfield.
The river with its natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and profound economic impact to the region is considered vital to the health, well-being and enjoyment by residents of southeast Michigan.
Since 1986, Friends of the Rouge has brought together adults, students, community partners and sponsors to work to clean and restore the river for current and future generations.
“Together with tens of thousands of volunteers, we have done so much good for the Rouge over the years,” said Aimee LaLonde-Norman, Friends of the Rouge executive director. “There’s still good work to be done and we’re looking forward to seeing many old – and new – friends working together for our river on May 30.”
To sponsor Friends of the Rouge and Rouge Rescue or to learn more, call 313-792-9900.