The South Grand River Watershed Alliance (SGRWA) and Harrisonville Public Works partnered
to host a stream cleanup along Town Creek Saturday morning, October 26. A group of
enthusiastic, dedicated volunteers, which included residents of Harrisonville, Lee's Summit, and
Pleasant Hill, gathered at Lord's Park and picked up an amazing amount of trash that included a
large amount of scrap metal. The group separated the scrap metal from the other trash for
recycling.
Information was presented to the group about the importance of keeping trash out of the
stream and its corridor and learned of other significant actions we can each take to improve the
health of the watershed and its tributaries. The information included the role native Missouri
prairie plants have in reducing runoff and flooding, providing essential habitat for native
butterflies, bees, and other pollinators and other wildlife, including birds. They also received
information about the importance of practicing the three "Rs": Reducing the amount of trash
generated, buying products for Reuse rather than one-time use that all too frequently involves
a pitch out of a car window instead of proper disposal, and Recycling items that are recyclable.
Volunteers were appreciative of the breakfast items provided by Harrisonville Public Works and
of the hot dog lunch prepared by the Cass County Elks.
Be sure to watch for this annual event and plan to participate in the fall of 2025!
Photo: Volunteers pose in Lord's Park with the bags of trash and scrap metal (later recycled)
collected at the annual fall Stream Cleanup Event