The City of Lexington’s annual Kentucky River Clean Sweep is set for Saturday morning at Kelley’s Landing after high waters in June forced a postponement. Jennifer Myatt is an environmental initiative specialist with the city. She said volunteers will pick up trash and other items that don’t belong in or near the river – and they’re encouraged to bring their own kayaks or canoes.
“The more volunteers who bring their own boat to go out in, the more people we are able to send out, because we do have some city canoes that we can send people out in, but we often run out, and then people have to take turns,” Myatt said.
For the same reason, volunteers are also encouraged to bring their own lifejackets.
Myatt said most years, they gather about a ton of garbage from Lexington’s source of drinking water – and the benefits extend beyond the river.
“We are all part of the Kentucky River watershed. So we just want to encourage people to be really thoughtful of their actions all the time when they think of water quality,” she said.
Myatt said volunteers have collected car batteries, water heaters, patio furniture and a wide variety of other items. She said their work is much appreciated.
“They will come back on a kayak with like two trash bags balanced over the sides full of trash. They work so hard. So we really appreciate everybody who comes down and does that. And it does help clean up the river." Myatt said "I think just as important, it gives people a chance to look at the river and to experience it.”
Myatt said volunteers should arrive at Kelley’s Landing around 8:30 a.m. – but they need to sign up first. Lexington Environmental Quality and Public Works is a financial supporter of WEKU.
