MADISON TOWNSHIP — Bald eagles flew over head over the weekend as more than 60 people helped to keep the Grand River a pristine area for generations to come.
The Grand River Partners Inc. organized the cleanup, which included people embarking from the Harpersfield Covered Bridge area and Hidden Valley Park.
Paul Belanger, a Madison resident and president of the GRP board of directors, and his wife Susan have been helping with the cleanup program for more than a decade.
Belanger said the organization was created as a watershed conservancy and has kept 4,000 acres from development, mostly with conservation easements. The efforts to keep the river clean are an obvious byproduct of the organization’s purpose, he said.
“The purpose of the cleanup is to keep the river clean but it also gets people to appreciate the wonderful natural resource,” Belanger said.
People backed debris in the canoes and placed it in containment areas at Hidden Valley Park and Mason’s Landing in Perry Township.
Mike Clark of Geneva and Kevin Morgan of Montville carried a rusty piece of a car or motorcycle to the bin while Sarah Knisely of Geneva followed with garbage bags filled with debris.
Clark said the program is definitely needed.
The Belangers said the river is clean but the need to vigilantly watch the area is critical.
The materials found run the gamut, Belanger said.
“One year we came back with a recliner,” he said.
“It is in very good shape. It’s considered the cleanest river emptying into Lake Erie (at least from the American side),” Belanger said.
Belanger said canoes were provided by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and by an area business.
The Grand River Partnership works to preserve the water quality and open space of the Grand river in Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake Portage and Trumbull counties.
The partnership includes more than 30 organizations including the Ashtabula County Health District, Ashtabula County Metroparks and the Ashtabula County Planning Commission.
Information provided by the GRP indicates there are 87 species of fish, 115 birds and more than 60 rare plants located in the area.
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
Grand cleaning
Volunteers work to keep river pristine
- Local News
-
-
Six ready to interview for Buckeye’s super job
The Buckeye Local Board of Education will conduct interviews with six superintendent hopefuls next week, said Board President Jacqueline Hillyer.
-
Shooting suspect to be tried as adult
A 17-year-old will be tried as an adult in the school shooting deaths of three students, a juvenile court judge ruled Thursday after hearing a sheriff’s deputy describe how the teen wore a T-shirt with the word “Killer” and admitted shooting people.
-
Ohio EPA takes AIM at site of hazardous wastes
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency staff members returned this week to the site of the now-bankrupt Ashtabula Iron and Metal on West 30th Street to take samples of the unknown liquids and analyze hazardous wastes, asbestos and other potential health and environmental concerns.
-
Commissioners look at selling nursing beds
Commissioners have retained the services of a law firm that specializes in the sale of excess nursing home beds as the board looks at ways to raise additional revenues.
-
Conneaut looks at demolition funds
The city is making preparations to secure its share of nearly $692,000 in demolition funds expected to be Ashtabula County’s portion of a multi-billion dollar settlement with national mortgage lenders.
-
Volunteers get more help than needed at rescue spot
Despite their good intentions, Edward and Mary proved more hindrance than help to the Conneaut KeyBank employees lending a helping hand Thursday to a farm animal rescue operation in Kingsville Township.
-
220 graduate at Lakeside
Thursday night was a time of pomp, circumstance and smiles as 220 seniors graduated from Lakeside High School.
-
Lost money?
There is no map, and “X” may not mark the spot, but hundreds of Ashtabula County residents may have unclaimed cash ready and waiting for them through the Ohio Department of Commerce.
-
Lane to be tried as adult in Chardon High shooting
A 17-year-old boy will be tried as an adult in the school shooting deaths of three students, a juvenile court judge ruled Thursday.
-
Happy Hearts School holds commencement for its Class of 2012
As commencement exercises go in Ashtabula County, the one at Happy Hearts School was small, with just five students.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Six ready to interview for Buckeye’s super job
