Volunteers needed for Lake Ouachita State Park’s annual fall litter cleanup

Volunteers are needed for Lake Ouachita State Park’s annual fall litter pickup from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 28.

The cleanup is being held in conjunction with the Great Arkansas Cleanup, the annual fall statewide litter pickup campaign promoted by Keep Arkansas Beautiful.

“Litter continues to be a problem in Lake Ouachita State Park,” Cara Curtis, of Stuttgart, local coordinator of this year’s cleanup, said in a news release.

“It can leave a negative impact on our community for years to come. By participating in this year’s Great Arkansas Cleanup, local residents can help make Lake Ouachita a vibrant place again.”

Civic and service organizations, church and youth groups, school groups and clubs, scouts, individuals, families, neighborhoods, and businesses can organize cleanup teams and pitch in, the release said.

Volunteers will meet at the state park visitor center and be allowed to choose from two options: they can either go with staff by boat to collect litter from nearby islands and shorelines or stay in the park to find trash on the trails. Reservations are recommended for the boats due to limited seating.

Bring water, snacks, gloves and sturdy shoes. A limited supply of free T-shirts will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis. Trash bags are provided.

“Litter is everyone’s responsibility,” Curtis said. “Although not everyone litters, we do all live in this community together and must work together to keep it clean and green. We do this out of community pride to maintain our outstanding quality of life and to improve our local economy.”

This year’s local cleanup is sponsored by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, Keep America Beautiful and Keep Arkansas Beautiful Foundation.