Ankeny Stream Cleanup Nets 28 Bags of Trash

Even with a chilly morning, the sixth annual Stream Cleanup in honor of Earth Day event was a huge success.

Over 50 people volunteered their time on Saturday, April 21 to help pick up trash along the watershed around North Creek Park, located on the northwest side of Ankeny.

"In just over two hours, an overflowing pickup truck bed was filled with the refuse out of North Creek last Saturday," said Municipal Utilities Engineer and event organizer Amy Bryant. "People are always amazed at the amount and type of refuse that is removed."

This year's inventory included 28 bags of trash, one large plastic pipe, a lawn chair, a sump pump, a tire, plastic sheeting, the lid of a child's sandbox, two metal posts and numerous pieces of scrap metal, lumber and styrofoam.

"With the work of volunteers, one small stretch of Ankeny gets cleaned up," said Bryant. "Our volunteers did a wonderful job and we would like to thank them for all their hard work and effort!"

In addition to the spring event, Ankeny also participates in a fall stream cleanup event that includes participants from communities in Polk County with land that surrounds the Fourmile Creek watershed.