By Sarrah Peters
News Editor
To celebrate Earth Day, Gadsden’s Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a cleanup day at Noccalula Falls Park.
Although Earth Day is today, April 22, the cleanup day will take place tomorrow, Saturday, April 23. Volunteers will gather at 8 a.m. at the Noccalula Falls Wedding Chapel to begin. Drinks and snacks will be provided for volunteers.
Earth Day began in 1970 with demonstrations across the United States protesting the treatment of the environment. The protests led to the Environmental Protection Agency and several bills protecting nature. Earth Day is still used to advocate for protection of the environment, as well as inspiring individuals to do something to improve environmental conditions.
Several groups of volunteers have already confirmed attendance at the cleanup event.
A group of people who enjoy walking in the area came a few weeks ago to clean graffiti. The group will return on Saturday to continue the project.
The Gadsden Mountain Bikers club will be coming on Saturday to mark trails using paint on trees. The Gadsden Runners Club will also assist in some trail work.
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“The Bike Club and the Runners Club are the ones who actually contacted us about doing something for Earth Day, which we have always wanted to do,” said Noccalula Falls Park Landscape Manager Christina Richardson. “It was just great to be able to have some other organizations jump in and help get it all together.”
Other volunteers will be able to help with trash pickup.
The Boy Scouts and Eagle Scouts have also been invited, and Richardson expects some members will attend.
In total, Richardson expects between 20 to 50 volunteers.
The city is providing all the supplies for the event, including paint, trash bags and pickup sticks.
Noccalula Falls is hoping to make the cleanup day an annual event.
For more information, contact Richardson at 256-504-8481 or crichardson@cityofgadsden.com.