Charlestown is blessed with an abundance of green spaces. From our own Greenway park and pocket playgrounds to the state park, there are no shortages of locations for our residents and visitors to enjoy some outdoor recreation. I place great value on taking care of our natural resources and parks. This is a passion that predates my term as mayor. Since 2018, I have led an annual clean-up event at Charlestown State Park. Most years seasonal flooding of the Ohio River causes trash and debris to collect along the river trails. For five years a group of volunteers has answered my call to come help "Bring in the Green" and prepare the trails for springtime visitors. We're doing it again this year, but with a slightly different spin.
I always work with the Property Manager and Naturalist at the park to determine how best our volunteers can meet the springtime needs at the park. This year I'm happy to say that the trails are mostly clear of debris. Instead of collecting trash for this year's Bring in the Green event, we'll be working to encourage the growth of the proper kind of green by assisting park staff with the removal of some invasive plant species that have taken root around the park. This work is extremely important to the overall ecosystem at the park. Protecting our natural and indigenous habitats ensures that we maintain our important local biodiversity and prevent the development of monocultures that can harm wildlife habitats.
If you're a previous volunteer, thank you! I hope you'll come back. If you've never joined us, please consider doing so this year. The link to the Facebook event page is here: https://fb.me/e/2GZV7JmKB
We'll gather on Saturday, March 18 at the picnic shelters near trail two and work from 9am-noon.
Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty and bring gloves if you have them. Breakfast will be provided on sight by Kort Physical Therapy. Other sponsors include Charlestown Township Trustee Tom Kendrick who has provided water, Outward Bound Support Services who is binging a few extra pairs of gloves, and Kevin May and the Clark County Soil and Water Conservation group who have provided bags. Call or text if you have questions: (812) 896-5647. See you soon as we Bring in the Green!