Saturday morning saw dedicated volunteers gathering to clean up around Montgomery Dam on the Fox River and Waubonsie Lake Park in Aurora. The event, initially scheduled for late April, was postponed to May 16 due to heavy rains and high water levels.

Ivan Chambers, community outreach coordinator for the Fox Valley Park District, explained the rescheduling was necessary. He stated, “Due to the elevated levels on the Fox River and out of caution for the safety of the community and volunteers, we determined postponing the event was the most responsible decision.”

This annual clean-up effort has occurred for several years and recently expanded to include both the Montgomery Dam and Waubonsie Lake Park locations. Chambers noted, “With Montgomery, we’ve been working there at least 10 years, and then we added Waubonsie. We generally average about 30 volunteers at each location.”

Chambers emphasized the importance of the clean-up, explaining, “The waterways are known for collecting trash and debris along the shoreline.” Participation not only improves the visual appeal of public spaces but also enhances community connections and protects the environment. Chambers added, “It creates immediate, visual impact and fosters community pride.”

Volunteers like Donna Smith of Aurora participated in the Waubonsie Lake clean-up. She stated, “The clean-up is something that we had to get done, absolutely.” Smith mentioned finding items like candy wrappers and bottles along the shoreline.

Volunteer Theresa Solan believes participating is essential for maintaining the area’s beauty, stating, “If we all pitch in, everything will stay beautiful, and we can all enjoy it.”

Angie Ng, a newcomer to the area from Wisconsin, participated for the first time. “I thought this would be nice as I enjoy the biking trails here,” she said. “If you enjoy the park, you gain a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment when you contribute to such efforts.”