HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (Sept. 25, 2012) - The public is invited to participate in the Garland County Trash Bash this Saturday, September 29.
Participants are asked to meet at 8 am. at one of the following check stations: Lake Catherine: Lake Catherine State Park, Carpenter Dam Park, Remmel Dam Park, Shoe Factory Boat Ramp; Lake Hamilton: Sunny Brook Landing, Hill Wheatly Park, Power Boats (Central Ave), Hulsey Fish Hatchery; Ouachita River: Whitewater Park, Malvern.
This event consists of a 3-hour long public cleanup effort of the shorelines of both Lake Catherine and Lake Hamilton, followed by an appreciation luncheon at Garvan Woodland Gardens from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The luncheon will include food and drinks for all registered participants, an awards ceremony, prize drawings, local entertainment and environmental education booths. The Grand Prize is a Laptop Computer.
The purpose of the event is both to clean up litter in and around area lakes as well as educate the public that everyone must pull together in the effort to protect and enhance the environmental integrity and recreational values of Garland County's lakes and the environment.
Over 300 concerned citizens participate each year in this effort, filling and removing hundreds of bags of trash collected from Hot Springs' beautiful lakes.
Garvan Woodland Gardens is proud that this event has become a continuing partnership and commitment from many community businesses, citizens, property owners, lake users, and local government to ensure that residents and visitors alike continue to enjoy the premier recreation resources that hydropower has provided. Since there is no age minimum to participate, this is a great opportunity for families to teach children the importance of preserving our environment for generations to come.
For more information, to volunteer or to donate to the cause, please contact Mindy Porter, by emailing her at mindyp@midamericamuseum.org.
The event is coordinated by the Trash Bash Council, Inc. Sponsors include: Entergy Arkansas, Inc., Garvan Woodland Gardens, Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, City of Hot Springs Sanitation Department, Smokin in Style BBQ, Garland County Department of Environmental Services, Mid-America Science Museum, Lake Catherine State Park, Solutions Home Entertainment, Hot Springs/Garland County Beautification Commission, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and Hot Springs County Solid Waste Authority. This clean up is being held in conjunction with the Great Arkansas Clean Up and the International Coastal Clean Up.
(Source: Hot Springs/Garland County Beautification Commission)