Have some pride

Recently, OKC Riversport hosted its annual Head of the Oklahoma Regatta. Over 900 entries representing dozens of college and club teams, including the Polish national team, came to Oklahoma City. I volunteered, and was assigned to assist one of the principal judges. During my shift, a group of us rode a safety launch from the finish line tower dock to what the rowers call the west dam, below which was the starting line staging area, and back. It was embarrassing. The Oklahoma River is a dump. In places, there was so much floating trash you literally couldn’t see the water. We saw dead animals, discarded clothing, fast-food detritus, syringes, you name it. The visitors were aghast at the condition of our river. They’ll tell their friends.

In the time I’ve lived here, I’ve become somewhat inured to the fact that too many Oklahomans still use their open car windows as a trash can, but I was chagrined by what we saw. The Chesapeake Boathouse was just recognized by Curb.com as one of the Ten Most Architecturally Significant Boathouses in the world. And it sits on a garbage slough. Oklahoma City is spending millions of dollars sprucing up the town to attract more business, and OKC Riversport is spending to add attractions and promote its activities. Trying to convince people to visit and participate in water sports where the river is disgustingly trashy can’t be easy. Clean it up, Oklahomans. Have a little pride in your place.

Michael Barnett, Moore