Oak Park residents prepare for second community cleanup day
Hiker's concerns inspired this local event
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

Surrounded by open space, Oak Park is known for its beauty. Admirers in and out of the community want to keep it that way.

For the second time this year the town will come together to pick up trash that mars the appearance of neighborhoods. The Fall Oak Park Cleanup Day will take place from 8 to 11 a.m. Sat., Nov. 3.

More than 150 people, including many public school children, turned out for the first cleanup day, held last March. The result was a collection of 250 large trash bags filled with a wide variety of trash including plastic bottles, beer and soda cans, food packages, shoes, a tire and even money.

The idea for a communitywide cleanup day originated with Jeri Edwards, a North Ranch resident who often hikes on Oak Park trails. When out walking, Edwards always carries a plastic bag with her and fills it with trash she picks up along sidewalks, streets and trails.

She became concerned when she noticed that the amount of trash and garbage littering the area had increased over the years. After she spoke at an Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council meeting earlier this year Edwards found support from council members, and the cleanup day program was established.

"We are holding this event again because there unfortunately is a constant need to clean up the schools, trails and creek areas. We would like to see this as a regular semiannual (spring and fall) event," said Oak Park MAC member Mike Green. "It is important that we clean up the creeks (now) before a big rain washes all the debris out to the ocean."

The spring event attracted mostly students, along with some teachers, Oak Park Unified School District Superintendent Tony Knight, and members of the MAC. Edwards and Green said they would like to see more adults participate Nov. 3.

"While the turnout of students was fantastic for our first event, we are definitely in need of a much greater turnout of adults," Green said. "We need the adults to help guide the students and help clean some areas that we can't ask young children to venture into, such as creek beds, etc."

Participants can meet at 8 a.m. at any of the following starting points: Medea Creek Middle School, Oak Park High School, Oak View Continuation High School and Red Oak Elementary. Gloves and bags will be provided.

When bags are filled they can be left at designated points to be picked up by Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District personnel.

To volunteer or to donate water or refreshments, contact Edwards, nyjes@aol.com, or Green, ftbref825@sbcglobal.net.