The 4th of July. Mom's apple pie. Picnics under a hot summer sun. Families getting together to and spending time with friends and relatives. Cold watermelon, hot fried chicken and strawberry shortcake. Best of all, after dark, dazzling displays of pyrotechnics all over the place. It's a celebration of our nation's birthday, and it's time for fun, fun, fun, as the Beach Boys would say.
Sadly, one after affect of all this fun, is an increase in garbage, in neighborhoods, in the streets, and in parks. It's a by product of the times, I guess. One thing I like about geocachers is that we respect our environment. The local geocaching club has adopted a street, and twice a year conduct clean ups of that street, a CITO, to give back to the community. But it shouldn't stop there. Why not when there's a chance to help remove garbage, or waste, as geocachers we could step in and lend a helping hand. At the end for three day holiday weekend, why not?
This is a chance for show why not? This event is planned to start at approx. 4:00pm on July 5th, at the posted coordinates for a CITO event. The plan is to move along the paths in the park, and remove any garbage/debris that has not been deposited in one of the trash receptacles. Most of the park is wheelchair accessible, so everyone can participate. Trash bags will be provided by GEOregon, but please bring the appropriate gloves/grabbing devices of your choice. Since this is the end of the 4th of July holiday, we'll want to especially keep an eye open for fireworks that have expended and may pose a hazard to the bushes and shrubs. Any devices of that type will be reported to the appropriate authorities.
So if you are done with your holiday activities, done with your picnics, or just looking for a way to give back a little the community and the environment, then come on by.