A river runs through Clarkston and those interested in helping protect it’or just learning more’are welcome to participate in River Day 2009.
Activities’from planting and expansion of rain gardens, streambank stabilization project, drain stenciling, and more’will be on June 13, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at several locations in Clarkston.
The Clarkston Farmers? Market will also hold a pre-opening plant and garden art sale. Although the Farmer’s Market doesn’t actually open until June 20’four weeks earlier than last year’s July 19 opening day’the group will host a dozen or so vendors set up in the parking lot near Depot Park on River Day.
‘We’ll have a lot of herbs and heirloom plants; annuals and perennials,? said Sharon Matzelle, who’s works with the market and is organizing the River Day sale. ‘We’ll also have quite a few organic varieties.?
Garden art, she said, will include everything from garden markers, birdhouses and feeders, pet memorials and more.
All artists are local, Matzelle said, and all plants Michigan-grown; a master gardener will also be on hand to answer questions.
In Depot Park, the Clarkston Watershed Group will work on expansion of both the rain garden and children’s garden.
The CWG recently received a $500 grant from River of Life’a conservation-conscious group based at St. Daniel’s Catholic Church’which it will use to help fund the purchase of native plants for the River Day projects.
Clarkston resident and Eagle Scout candidate Brent Cousino, a Clarkston High School student, will spearhead a streambank stabilization project near the Depot Park bridge near M-15.
Clarkston United Methodist Church, in partnership with the North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy, will also host River Day activities.
Church groups and other volunteers will work to build a demonstration rain garden on church property, through which the Clinton River also flows.
‘A rain garden keeps salt from flowing into the river when it rains,? said Katie Anderson, NOHLC’s executive director. ‘Not to mention motor oil, brake dust and whatever else ends up in the parking lot.?
Volunteers will also stencil around drains throughout the community to remind people not to dump anything through the grates.
‘Whatever goes in the drain ends up in the river,? Anderson said.
Children’s activities, including the opportunity to float a ‘rubber ducky? down a stretch of river before retrieving it with a net.
Everyone’s welcome, Anderson said, including folks who aren’t able to help with the big jobs.
‘Lots of people will be digging and carrying on,? Anderson said. ‘But we also want to have some child-friendly activities so families can come out and enjoy some quality time together.?
The floating ducks, she explained, are a fun lesson designed to teach kids that the rubber duck’and anything else that ends up in the river, would eventually float all the way to the great lakes.
For those who want to make the short trip, maps to NOHLC’s Nels Kimball Preserve?41 acres near I-75 and M-15 in Independence Township’will be available at the church.
A scavenger hunt list will keep kids interested at the preserve, which is always open to the public.
‘We want to create awareness that the Clinton River flows right through there,? Anderson said. ‘We’re protecting the land to protect the water; that’s what NOHLC is focused on’it’s paramount to us.?
Back at Clarkston United Methodist, a volunteer will fire up the grill around lunchtime; free hotdogs and lemonade will await hungry folks working at River Day activities around town’and anyone else who wants to stop by.
The Clarkston Community River Day Celebration is sponsored by the Clarkston Watershed Group, North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy, Boy Scout Troop 189, Clarkston Farmers Market, American Roots, and River of Life.
Volunteers are still needed for all activities. For more information, contact CWG River Day coordinator Cory Johnston at 248-620-6489 or CWG@villageofclarkston.org; contact the NOHLC at 248-846-6547. For a list of dozens of River Day activities taking place June 6 and June 13 in Oakland County and beyond, visit the Clinton River Watershed Council website at www.crwc.org.