Everyone has to be cheered that the LA River is so often in the headlines these days, and mostly for positive reasons. Communities and groups and individuals have been working to promote the urban waterway, to open it up to more recreational possibilities, and to return it, in whatever way possible, to its wilder state.
But enjoying the pleasures of the river means that some time and some wide-scale pitching in of the putting-garbage-in-trash-bags sort is required. Enter La Gran Limpieza: The Great LA River Cleanup, which marks its 24th year on Saturday, May 18.
What's involved? Well, you, for starters. (Presumptuous? OK.) Plus the stuff needed to cart stuff stuff away from the river and its banks and edges. So: trash bags, gloves, and such. And a few whistle-while-you-work additions, like music, raffles, and giveaways.
Friends of the LA River is the helpful, let's-get-this-thing-dejunked host.
Several "trash characterization" sites'll spring up along the river during the morning. "Citizen scientists" will analyze findings and weigh and document the detritus. And there will be 15 cleanup sites in all, so there's going to be a wide swath of spiffying-up going down.
The most charming and quirky slice of the day? The River Treasures portion. The River Treasures are the most head-scratchable items cleanup volunteers come across. Think strings of Christmas lights and rare coins and a small trampoline.
Seriously. A mini trampoline? Citizen scientists, we need your help.
The Scene
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Let's keep enjoying our river and coaxing it to a greater state of being. And if we can not dump anything in it, say, like trampolines, even better. Better yet? Help other river lovers clean it up so the kayaking and biking and general enjoyment level is raised for everyone.
