GRANGER, Iowa - The Polk County Conservation Board is asking for public help to clean area parks and trails as part of Wednesday's (April 22nd) celebration of Earth Day.
The board has set up stations with trash grabbers and bags at five Polk County parks - Jester Park Nature Center, Easter Lake Park, Yellow Banks Park, Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt, and Thomas Mitchell Park - and is urging the public to help collect garbage.
It says park visitation in Polk County has seen a 150 percent increase since the mid-March COVID-19 outbreak, and trail usage is up 200 percent. The board says the increased usage has resulted in more garbage in parks and trails. It's identified problem areas as trail-heads, parking areas, roadway corridors, shorelines and in-lake pollution, and is asking those who want to be on the water to bring a kayak or canoe.
The board is also asking residents to visit a park and help out by dragging and throwing sticks/limbs into the nearest wooded area.
April 22nd is recognized as Earth Day internationally.