Volunteers Clean Up Montgomery Dam and Waubonsie Lake Park

Saturday saw dedicated volunteers gathering to clean up Montgomery Dam on the Fox River in Montgomery and Waubonsie Lake Park in Aurora. This event, initially scheduled for April 25 to coincide with Earth Day, faced delays due to heavy rains and high water levels on the Fox River. The Fox Valley Park District rescheduled it to May 16 for safety reasons.

Rescheduling for Safety

Ivan Chambers, the community outreach coordinator for the Fox Valley Park District, cited safety concerns as the key reason behind the postponement. He stated, “Due to the elevated levels on the Fox River, and for the safety of the community and volunteers, postponing the event was deemed necessary.”

This annual clean-up has a history of several years, held simultaneously at both the Montgomery Dam and Waubonsie Lake Park for the past two years. Chambers mentioned, “We have been working in Montgomery for at least 10 years, and then we added Waubonsie.” They typically gather about 30 volunteers at each site.

Efforts to Improve and Protect

The clean-up targets trash and debris along these sites’ shorelines, making it essential. Chambers emphasized the value of volunteering for the event, explaining that it enhances public spaces visually and bolsters community ties. Furthermore, it protects the environment, promotes civic pride, and offers service opportunities.

On that day, Ivan Chambers addressed the volunteers at Waubonsie Lake Park, where they prepared for a three-hour cleanup effort.

Volunteer Voices

Volunteers like Donna Smith from Aurora supported the effort at Waubonsie Lake. She stated, “The clean-up is something we had to complete. Waubonsie Lake is relatively clean, but we find items like candy wrappers and bottles along the shoreline.” Volunteer Theresa Solan emphasized the importance of group participation to maintain the area’s beauty.

Angie Ng of Oswego, a newcomer from Wisconsin, participated for the first time. She enjoys the biking trails at Waubonsie Lake Park and expressed her desire to keep the park beautiful. Ng shared, “You gain a sense of accomplishment by contributing in this way.”

David Sharos contributed to this article for The Beacon-News.