Will Cook County News

By Claude Martinez.

Crestwood – The Friends of the Chicago River are once again organizing river cleanup events across the Chicago area.

“Every year since 1992, Friends of the Chicago River partners with community leaders, municipalities, and landowners to host our largest volunteer stewardship day of the year, Chicago River Day,” wrote the Friends of the Chicago River. “Volunteers build community and improve our rivers and public spaces by cleaning up harmful litter, mulching trails, and removing invasive plants.”

This year marks the 33rd Annual Chicago River Day Cleanup, which will take place on Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., followed by an After Party from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., at more than 75 locations throughout the Chicago-Calumet River system.

To view cleanup locations, click here. Volunteers who register after May 2 must show proof of registration—either an email confirmation or printed ticket—on the morning of the event.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) is once again working hand in hand with the Village of Crestwood to help clean up the land adjacent to Cal Sag Road and the Cal-Sag Channel, behind ALDI at 4820 Cal Sag Rd., Crestwood.

MWRD Vice President Theresa Flynn will be at the event, assisting local residents in cleaning up the area.

“We are glad to partner with the Friends of the Chicago River again in the Village of Crestwood.” said MWRD Vice President Theresa Flynn. “Many, many acres of MWRD land sit within the Village limits. This created an opportunity with Mayor Ken Klein and our Congressman Sean Casten to gather resources and warm bodies to do our part in the upkeep of our waterways by maintaining land adjacent to the Cal Sag Channel. Through efforts of the MWRD and Friends, we have seen the flora and fauna of the river system greatly improve; now boasting over 70 fish species in the system.”

Flynn also added, “While this is marked as an annual event, as Vice President and Commissioner of the MWRD, it is my hope that more communities take pride and be proactive. Please visit our website for details on what we do and what you can do to improve where we live.”

She concluded, “As always, we encourage residents to call our dump alert hotline if you see any dumping activity or suspect it near or around our waterways and sewers.”

To report waterway blockages, illegal or suspicious dumping into sewers or waterways, or unusual odors, call 800-332-3867 or visit:
mwrd.org/community-action/report-waterway-blockages-odors-or-water-pollution

Other locations in the south suburbs of Chicago include:
Note: You must register online before attending, click here.

Alsip

• Alsip Boat Ramp, 5399 W. Plattner Dr., Alsip.

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Blue Island

• Blue Island Beer Company, 13357 Old Western Ave., Blue Island – South Side After Party, 12–3 p.m.
• Little Calumet Boat Launch, Jackson St. & Aulwurm Dr., Blue Island.
• SEPA Station 3, corner of Irving Ave. and Fulton St., Blue Island.

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Chicago – South Side

• Beaubien Woods – On Land, Fishing Pavilion at Flatfoot Lake, W. Doty Ave. S., SE. of E. 130th St. & S. Ellis Ave., Chicago.
• Beaubien Woods – On the Water, W. Doty Ave. S., SE. of E. 130th St. & S. Ellis Ave., Chicago.
• Big Marsh Park, 11559 S. Stony Island Ave., Chicago.
• Eggers Grove, 11251-11249 S. Ave. E., Chicago.
• Hegewisch Marsh Park, 13298 S. Torrence Ave., Chicago.
• Indian Ridge Marsh, 11740 S. Torrence Ave., Chicago.

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Lemont

• Lemont Centennial Trail, Canal Bank Rd., 15700 Canal Bank Rd., Lemont.

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Oak Lawn

• Lakeshore Park, 9610 E. Shore Dr., Oak Lawn.
• Wolfe Wildlife Refuge, W. 109th St. & Laramie Ave., Oak Lawn.

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Palos Heights

• Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanic Gardens, 7402 Lake Katherine Dr., Palos Heights.

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Palos Hills

• Lucas Berg Nature Preserve, 7901 W. 111th St., Palos Hills.

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Palos Park

• Paddock Woods, 11700 S. 86th Ave., Palos Park.

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Riverdale

• Kickapoo Woods, Riverdale.
• Kickapoo Woods – On the Water, Riverdale.
• Whistler Woods Forest Preserve, 735 W. 134th St., Riverdale.

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South Holland

• Sand Ridge Nature Center, 15891 Paxton Ave., South Holland.

To view other locations and learn more, click here.

Special thanks to Jeanne McDougall.

To read and watch WCCN’s article on the 2024 River Crossing Clean-Up Day in Crestwood, click here.

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