Everything plus the kitchen sink

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The enthusiastic group of 42 volunteers just before dispersing to work locations. (Submitted photos)
The enthusiastic group of 42 volunteers just before dispersing to work locations. (Submitted photos)

Not one sink, but four, plus a snow tire, tractor tire, antique sewing machine, brass bed and frame, coca cola cooler, two water heater tanks, and miles of pipes and old fence posts. That is part of the 2600 pounds of debris that dedicated volunteers dragged out of Eagle Creek on the morning of Sept. 14.

“When we entered Eagle Creek Saturday morning, I expected to pick up a few bottles and cans,” Volunteer Phil Howard said. “I was totally taken back by the amount of junk that was pulled out of the creek in such a small span (Elm Street Green Park, Lions Park, to Creekside Park). We filled a dump truck and two pickup trucks full.”

The fruits of the volunteers’ labor just two hours later. More than 2,600 pounds of debris, the vast bulk of it metal, was taken to a solid waste center.
The fruits of the volunteers’ labor just two hours later. More than 2,600 pounds of debris, the vast bulk of it metal, was taken to a solid waste center.

The idea to assemble volunteers for this cleanup day came from Todd Settle. He fishes in the creek often.

“The idea of a creek cleanup came naturally after noticing large amounts of trash and debris in the water. Because of the extent of it, I knew we needed an organized group effort to make a dent in it,” Settle said. “I can’t thank the volunteers and parks staff enough for literally diving in and taking on this challenge.”

Superintendent of Parks & Recreation for the Town of Zionsville, Matt Dickey, was grateful for the idea and also the many volunteers who pitched in to help but sees more work to be done.

“We will certainly be doing it again, but we’ll have to determine which location because it (Eagle Creek) is limited with access,” Dickey said.

With the shocking volume and size of the debris removed it was clear to Dickey and others that the creek had been used as a dumping ground by past home owners on the creek and possibly others.

“While debris enters our water ways through floods, it was evident that a lot of what we found was illegally dumped there years ago,” Howard said. “When we (people) discard something into the creek, we are polluting our drinking water, and the environment for years to come.”

This volunteer effort clearly proves that interest in preserving the environment is changing.

“It shows that in the past people took a different view of our natural resources since some of the stuff had been dumped in the creek and left for decades,” Dickey said. “The fact that we can bring 42 volunteers together in a short period of time to help indicates that our citizen’s attitudes have changed.”


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