Vale Park Road Cleanup Day

city-of-valparaisoOn August 26th the city of Valparaiso will be teaming up with citizens to participate in the Vale Park Road Cleanup Day. The event will be in partnership with the Day of Caring, a program sponsored by the United Way of Porter County. It will also be a collaboration between the city’s Neighborhood Liaison, Engineering and Public Works departments, and the Valparaiso Department of Parks and Recreation.

The cleanup will involve the removal of litter and recyclables from the ground and separating them for pick up, and also the removal of several different kinds of invasive plants that are growing in the area.

Work will take place in the nature preserve area of Vale Park Road from Campbell Street and continue eastward to Valparaiso Street. Horticulturalists from the parks department will be present to oversee the proper removal of plants and to educate the volunteers about the varieties of invasive species that exist in the preserve.

Adults, children ages nine and up and service groups are welcome to participate. Volunteers should wear pants and long sleeves if they have skin that is sensitive to itch. Bug repellant, sunscreen, a hat and close-toed shoes are also recommended.

The event will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Volunteers are asked to park in the Foundation Meadows parking lot on Campbell Street and walk south to the worksite on the corner of Campbell Street and Vale Park Road. There city officials will greet volunteers and get the work groups started.

Light snacks and drinks will be provided, and volunteers will receive reusable bags as a gift for their efforts provided by the city’s public works department.

Those who would like to volunteer or have questions may contact Neighborhood Liaison Christine Hisick at (219) 462-1161 or email chisick@valpo.us.