Dearborn Heights Watershed Stewards Commission Chairman Steve Ray (second from left) teaches Star International Academy students how to plant and care for trees in Dearborn Heights during a 2011 cleanup.
By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS — The Dearborn Heights Watershed Stewards Commission invites the public to help clean Parkland Park and the Rouge River May 30.
The cleanup will take place at 9 a.m. at Parkland Park, 6500 Parkland, celebrating the 29th anniversary of the Friends of the Rouge annual Rouge Rescue.
“We wouldn’t be able to conduct these cleanups without the help of our community leaders and the Crestwood High School National Honor Society students,” DHWSC Co-Chairwoman Barb Goryca said.
The DHWSC has been a part of the city of Dearborn Heights since 1985 with this year’s cleanup marking the 20th at Parkland Park.
The watershed serves as a resource for watershed information to answer the community’s questions regarding water quality, watersheds and habitat enhancement projects.
Volunteers will remove the garlic mustard plant, pickup trash, scrub removal, tree maintenance and possible storm drain decal work, weather permitting.
“We will be focusing on the removal of garlic mustard because it is starting to take over the area,” Goryca said. “Other plants are being taken over which is not good for the animals living in the area.”
Decal work will include placing signs near street sewers to encourage no dumping of toxic materials.
“We want to teach the community about decal work so they are more aware of the dangers of placing harmful substances into our sewers and waterways,” Goryca said.
Interested volunteers are encouraged to wear long sleeved shirts and long pants, hats and work gloves, boots or sturdy shoes as well as sun screen and bug spray.
Coffee and refreshments will also be available for volunteers.
Those interested in volunteering for the event should arrive at Parkland Park at 8:30 a.m. for registration. For more information or to pre-register, call 313-274-3144 or email [email protected].
“It is important to continue to hold these cleanups to teach and make a positive difference in the community,” Goryca said. “Keeping the park and river clean is essential for future generations.”
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)