Chicago River’s closest friends turnout for annual cleanup

Friends of the Chicago River

(Above) Volunteers in Skokie, Illinois, clean along the north branch of the Chicago River on May 14.

May 19, 2016 – More than 2,500 friends of the Chicago River pitched in last Saturday to help clean riverbanks from Lake Forest to Lake Calumet. It was the 24th annual Chicago River Day.

The volunteers, at 63 locations along the 156-mile-long river system, removed litter and invasive vegetation, sorted out recyclables, and planted native plants.

“24 years and more than 55,000 River Day volunteers later, the Chicago River is no longer a forgotten alleyway,” says Margaret Frisbie (left), executive director of Friends of the Chicago River, the nonprofit organization that organizes the annual event.

“We are witnessing a renaissance all along the river. It flows from Chicago’s northern suburbs through the heart of downtown and south past historic Bubbly Creek, connecting communities. It serves as important open spaces to landlocked neighborhoods, provides access to recreation and exercise, and acts as a critical wildlife corridor for fish, birds, and mammals. We are thrilled with the progress and grateful to the many people and partners who helped make it happen.”

Before the event, Friends of the Chicago River estimated that more than 25 tons of garbage and debris would be cleared from riverbanks and harmful, invasive plants filling hundreds of bags would be removed.

May 14 was also the first day of the season for McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, opening for its tenth year.

Website: Friends of the Chicago River