ODOT, Ironton to work to keep Ohio beautiful

 

CHILLICOTHE — Beautifying parks and recreation areas, cleaning waterways and highways, picking up litter, planting trees and flowers — all signs of spring, all part of making and keeping America beautiful, and all part of the Great American Cleanup.

It’s time once again for the annual litter pickup, and this year the Ohio Department of Transportation is teaming up with the Keep Ohio Beautiful, Keep Southeast Ohio Beautiful and the city of Ironton to host the event in Ironton.

“The Great American Cleanup is the country’s biggest annual community improvement program in which millions of volunteers work locally to make a difference,” said ODOT District 9 Deputy Director Vaughn Wilson. “Given the tradition of community involvement, the sense of pride and the spirit of beautification in Ironton, it is only fitting that the city serves as a host location for this year’s Great American Cleanup.”

Civic groups, businesses, organizations and individuals are being encouraged to join the effort on Saturday to pick up litter, recyclables and debris from streets and parks in Ironton and on roadways just outside the city.

Deputy Director Wilson will be joined by Ironton Mayor Richard Blankenship and KOB Board President Lee Oberlag for a kick-off event at the Etna Street Skate Park in downtown Ironton beginning at 9 a.m.

And after a safety briefing and pickup instructions by Troy Huff, ODOT’s highway management administrator, volunteers will be given bags and safety vests and assigned to designated sites in the Ironton area.

Those planning to participate can register in advance of the event by visiting ODOT’s web site at http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Operations/Maintenance/Pages/AdoptAHighway.aspx, and they can call ODOT District 9 at 740-774-8903.

Volunteers may also register at the park prior to the event beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.