Annual river cleanup set for weekend

The Black River will get its annual spring cleaning this weekend.

The fifth annual Black River Clean-Up will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 6 and 7.

The annual trash collection weekend is coordinated by the Lorain County Kayak & Paddle Sports Group.

For the first event, the organizers showed up at Black River Wharf with no clue of who else would come, said Kurt Hernon, board president, and event cofounder Stephanee Moore Koscho, who is assistant executive director and chief financial officer for the group.

“Suddenly we had 200 people rounded up,” Hernon said. “It went off really well’’ and it’s only grown since.”

Since the start, the event has amassed its own running totals, with 1,342 participants picking up 891 tires and 72.4 tons of trash.

“Five years ago, we didn’t even expect it to become an annual event, so we’re very surprised it has gotten as big as it has,” Moore Koscho said.

Business sponsors have been generous with donations, she added. Usually they offer to help once the planners explain the project.

“It’s really easy to get people involved in this because it is our river and it’s right in the center of town,” Moore Koscho said.

The 2017 event has at least 250 participants signed up, a record, and walk-up participants “absolutely” are welcome, Hernon said.

“If the weather’s nice, we might top 400 people this year,” he said. “It’s incredible to watch.

“You see people take a lot of initiative to get things done that day,” Hernon said. “So, the more, the merrier.

“Unfortunately, there’s a need, so the more you have, the more stuff gets picked up.”

The cleanup is working

“You see people take a lot of initiative to get things done that day. So, the more, the merrier. “Unfortunately, there’s a need, so the more you have, the more stuff gets picked up.”

— Kurt Hernon, board president, and event co-founder

long-term because some of the areas along the river accumulate less trash, year to year, Hernon said.

Participation is free; volunteers are asked to check in and check out for safety and to keep tallies for participation and rubbish collected.

Check-in and check-out stations and trash containers will be at Black River Wharf, the 14th Street boat ramp in Lorain, and at Lakeside Landing, 301 Lakeside Ave.

The cleanup this year is growing to include James Day Park in Sheffield Village.

Other target locations in Lorain will be Hot Waters boat launch, Cromwell Park and Black River Landing.

The Black River CleanUp is a family friendly event. General rules are to wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather and bring a refillable water bottle.

For those interested in cleaning via the river, free kayak rentals are available one a first-come, firstserved basis at Grumpy’s Bait Bucket, which operates at the Black River Wharf boat ramp. After 1:30 p.m., lunch is available for volunteers.

Many participants are surprised to find the cleanup becomes their best day of the year because of the teamwork and feeling of community, and seeing results, Hernon said.

“When it was over, they’re like, ‘Oh, my gosh, what an amazing feeling,’ ” he said.

Online registration will continue through mid-day May 5.