Communities Coming Together:

The Cities of Ecorse and Lincoln Park, along with their public, private, and non-profit partners, including the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) would like to sincerely thank all who made this past Saturday's Ecorse Creek and Shoreline Clean Up a resounding success. In the inaugural year for this joint community enterprise, over 50 volunteers from across the downriver area came together to help preserve the Ecorse River and its surrounding land.

The event was spread across Pepper Park in Ecorse and Point Council Park in Lincoln Park. By the end of the afternoon, volunteers had collected over ten yards of debris to help preserve this neighborhood treasure. The clean-up was uniquely split between those collecting litter around the creek shoreline and those kayaking along the creek itself and gathering trash in the water.

Community leaders, including Lamar Tidwell, Mayor of Ecorse and Tom Karnes, Mayor of Lincoln Park; Wayne County Commissioner, Illona Varga; Richard Marsh, Ecorse City Administrator; Devonte Sherard, Ecorse Council Member; Refuge staff; and others led the dual charge as volunteers across both cities worked tirelessly through the morning of July 13th. The event was made possible by partnerships between both downriver cities, as well as, private and public parties including: Great Lakes Commission

McKenna Riverside Kayak Connection

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge

Dressed in festive neon green shirts to commemorate their participation, volunteers from various walks of life and areas of each community came together and made this effort possible. We hope that these efforts will lead to greater awareness and support of not only the Ecorse Creek and its shoreline, but all waterways and conservation in the surrounding area.

"It was great to see all of the people come out and support both the City of Ecorse and Lincoln Park on cleaning up the Ecorse Creek. I think this is the start of great things to come along the Ecorse Creek.," said Mayor Tidwell.

After the clean-up, volunteers were treated to a lunch of hot dogs, beverages, and chips. During lunch, a raffle was held for participants to give away prizes from different downriver eateries, such as Grand Port Cafe and Steel Tavern and establishments including the Riverside Kayak Connection. After lunch, Refuge interns and members of the Lincoln Park High School Environmental Club hosted family friendly and informative activities that raised awareness about plastic pollution and how to help preserve nature in their communities.

For more information on this event, please contact the Visitor Services Manager, Jody DeMeyere by phone at 734-692-6459 or by email [email protected].