HEBER SPRINGS, Ark. – The Greers Ferry Lake & Little Red River Association along with the Army Corps of Engineers personnel ask you to mark your calendar for the 46th Annual Greers Ferry Lake and Little Red River Cleanup Saturday, Sept. 12 from 8 to 11 a.m.
This event is held the first Saturday after Labor Day each year in recognition of the Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day Act.
The Corps Greers Ferry Project Office will waive camping fees Sept. 11 and 12 for individuals and groups participating in the cleanup. Day use fees will also be waived for participants Sept. 12 and 13. Registration at the gatehouse is required.
Volunteers should check in by 8 a.m. at Eden Isle Marina, Fairfield Bay Marina, Heber Springs Marina, Smith's Hill Creek Marina, Lacey's Narrows Marina, Furgerson’s Choctaw Marina, Peter's Sugar Loaf Marina, Dam Site Park or Shiloh Park gatehouses.
If you prefer cleaning up the Little Red River, the Greers Ferry National Fish Hatchery and Chapter 722 of Trout Unlimited will be registering volunteers at 8 a.m. at the entrance of John F. Kennedy Park.
Cleanup sponsors encourage those who want to clean a favorite area to call the Corps offices at 501-362-2416 before Sept. 12 and sign up for specific lake areas. To sign up for JFK Park, Collins Creek or the fish hatchery cleanup, call the Greers Ferry National Fish Hatchery at 501-362-3615. For general information call the association’s toll-free at 888-490-4357.
Boat owners will not have to use their boats to transport the recovered trash around the lakeshore. The Corps has made arrangements for contractors to pick-up trash left by the volunteers along the shoreline. To facilitate the contractor pick-up, volunteers should leave the bagged trash in conspicuous locations around the shoreline for later pick-up. Trash bags for shoreline litter will be furnished to all participants at the check-in stations.
River volunteers are encouraged to bring bagged trash back to John F. Kennedy Pavilion to prevent it from being scatted back downstream during times of water generation.
A catfish lunch with all the trimmings and old fashion lemonade will be served from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. to the first 600 volunteers at Narrows Park. Entertainment during lunch will include the Harding Choir, as well as local musicians, face painting, water safety booth games, recycling booth with games, three-legged recycle race, dunking booth, featuring the Greers Ferry mayor and other community leaders, door prizes and more.
A new event for this year will include a one mile “Love the Lake & River Fun Run/Walk” that kicks off the day at 7 a.m. at Lacey’s Narrows Marina. Event officials ask folks to come and participate to get warmed up for the cleanup. All proceeds from the run go towards the lake cleanup.
Also newly added to the cleanup is an Augmented Reality Trail showcasing the history of the cleanup, the dedication of the dam as well as other interactive activities. Scan designated places along the trail with your phone and interact with the trail. The trail can be viewed at the cleanup and will then be placed at City Park in Greers Ferry, Ark., for viewing throughout the year.
Trout Unlimited Chapter 722 will provide a hamburger and hot dog luncheon for river cleanup volunteers at the John F. Kennedy Pavilion beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Cleanup sponsors include: the Army Corps of Engineers, Greers Ferry Lake & Little Red River Association, Greers Ferry Lake National Fish Hatchery, Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission, City of Greers Ferry, Save Greers Ferry Lake, Trout Unlimited Chapter 722, XTO Energy, Eagle Bank, Brawley Real Estate, Greers Ferry Chamber of Commerce, Scimitar Shriners and KFFB 106.1 Radio.
Special thanks to Chambers of Commerce in Augusta, Bald Knob, Beebe, Clinton, Fairfield Bay, Greers Ferry, Heber Springs, McCrory, and Searcy.
Little Rock District news and recreation information can be found at www.about.me/usacelittlerock.