River, Roads, Parks Come Clean
Sep 03, 2015 12:00AM ● By Susan Skinner
Story and photos by Susan Maxwell Skinner
Carmichael, CA (MPG) - A passion for pristine parks, streets, and a clean river inspires several local clean-ups this fall. Between September and October, scores of workers will fill trash bags in central Carmichael and on the American River. Sturdy shoes/boots and gloves are recommended for all participants.
September 12th: Manzanita Clean-Up
Between the Fair Oaks Boulevard turn and Winding Way lies Manzanita Avenue, one of Carmichael’s messiest routes. The stretch has claimed Chamber of Commerce attention via Sacramento County’s adopt-a-street program. “There’s a large area of fenced vacant land and no one is clearing roadside trash,” said Chamber Director Shaun Dillon. “The Jan Drive corner is an eyesore. We’ll be cleaning that up.”
The Chamber invites students and residents to augment the workforce. Safety jackets will be provided. Volunteers should meet at 8 a.m. beside the tennis courts on the Grant corner of Carmichael Park. For information, email [email protected].
September 19th: American River Clean-Up
The biggest grooming of the season is the Great American River Clean-Up—an event that galvanizes up to 1,500 volunteers. Coordinated by the American River Parkway Foundation, the project spruces up 23 miles of parkway between Discovery Park and Hazel Avenue. Twenty-two sites—including beauty spots in Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Gold River, Rancho Cordova, Arden Arcade, and Sacramento—are included in the housekeeping.
The project marks the end of the summer rafting season. “Our motto is to take out what you bring in,” said a Parkway Foundation spokesman. “Unfortunately, many rafters and picnickers forget to bring trash bags.” While drought is generally bad news for the artery, low water levels enable recovery of more sunken debris. Last year, almost 22,000 pounds of trash were removed from the river. Sacramento County disposed of the haul. For volunteer gathering points, call (916) 486-2773 or visit www.arpf.org.
October 17th: Boulevard Brush-Up
Carmichael Chamber of Commerce’s Beautify Carmichael Day coincides usefully with the community’s thrice-annual Boulevard Brush-Up. Marshalled by the Carmichael Creek Neighborhood Association, workers subject Fair Oaks Boulevard to a sweep from Stanley and Manzanita avenues, and then turn the boulevard corner to scour roadsides down to California Avenue. Volunteers should assemble at 9 a.m. beside the tennis courts at Carmichael Park’s north end. The County Department of Transportation supplies bags. For information, call (916) 944-1042.
October 17th: Beautify Carmichael Day
Now in its third year, the community tidy-up encourages merchants and residents to take pride in their territory. Previous Beautification Day projects established flowerbeds at the Fair Oaks and Manzanita triangle. “Because of the drought, we’ll do maintenance rather than planting this year,” predicts program founder and Chamber of Commerce President Cathryn Snow. Snow hopes citizens will roll up sleeves. “Apartment dwellers can band together to pull weeds,” she suggests. “Homeowners can tidy frontages. If you live near a vacant lot, call the owners and have them clean it up. Prettier neighborhoods enhance property values and keep small businesses profitable. Everybody needs to get on board to achieve this.”
Areas scheduled for fine-tooth treatment this Beautify Carmichael Day include Arcade Creek Park (Omni Drive), Mission Oaks Park (Gibbons Drive), and the grounds of the La Sierra Center (Engle Road). Volunteers should show up at one of the above project locations by 9 a.m. To get involved, call (916) 481-1002.
