River Day Means Dedication for Plum Creek Work

Friends of the Crooked River and Co-sponsor Appalachian Outfitters are organizing the line-up of events for the 22nd Annual RiverDay to be held Saturday across northeast Ohio.  

River Day aims to raise awareness among everyday citizens concerning the importance of the role that a “free-flowing” Cuyahoga River plays in their everyday lives and to highlight the need to continue the improvement of its water quality. RiverDay 2012 will feature 19 events across Cuyahoga, Summit, Portage and Geauga counties, including: clean-ups; habitat restorations; watercraft excursions; hikes; a bus tour of dam and restoration sites; a free concert and an art exhibition. (Event descriptions are listed in the .pdf attached to this story). 

These events highlight the recreational, cultural and historic natural resources of our American Heritage River. Almost all events are free, although some require reservations. A detailed list of all the RiverDay 2012 events is available at www.cuyahogariver.net/riverday. 

When RiverDay began 22 years ago, there were eight major dams on the Cuyahoga River. Over the last 10 years, two have been removed: Kent and Munroe Falls. This summer, two more dams are slated to be removed in Cuyahoga Falls. Partners from all over the watershed are working to establish a Cuyahoga River Water Trail. Water quality in Akron is expected to be greatly improved, as a result of the city’s plan to correct its sewer overflows. The events planned for RiverDay 2012 will applaud this work, honor the results of past efforts and preview what dreams may emerge, including the removal of the Gorge Metro Park dam.  On Saturday, thousands of our watershed’s citizens will gather at the River to learn about the River’s gifts and enjoy its recreational beauty.

Here are the events set for Kent on River Day 2012:

MAY 18 KENT PARKS AND RECREATION'S WATERSHED CELEBRATION FOR KENT
CITY SCHOOLS

10am-1pm: Hands on water education activities at on the Cuyahoga River. Kayak demonstration and participation in the "Ready, Set, Wear it Ohio!" awareness day with life jackets. By reservation only via .

17. MAY 19 KENT ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL AND KENT PARKS AND RECREATION RIVER DAY AND DEDICATION OF PLUM CREEK RESTORATION

Meet at off Cherry Street in Kent. Call for more information at 330-673-1193 or visit www.kentenvironment.org. Sponsored by Kent Environmental Council and Kent Parks and Recreation.

10am-1pm: Join us at 11 am for a dedication of the restoration of Plum Creek (a Crooked River tributary) with its free-flowing stream and native landscaping. Come early and enjoy a self-guided walk of the creek, environmental and rain barrel displays, with hands-on activities and crafts for families. See what the dip nets find in our water quality "mini critter" survey, find out about our first ever statewide award on the project, and meet some of our aquatic friends. Along with a kayak and water display, you can try on a life jacket as we participate in the "Ready, Set, Wear It Ohio!" awareness day and attempt to break a world record. Contact .

5:30 pm-8:00 pm: Festivities will conclude with a traditional potluck picnic at Plum Creek Park, where at 5:30 pm the free-flowing Plum Creek and the Cuyahoga River will continue to draw people together. Please bring a dish to share to this event. Call 330-678-8760 with any questions. Sponsored by the Kent Community Dinner.

Crooked River Adventures will offer canoe and kayak trips weather and water levels permitting. There is a fee for this activity. Call 330-541-7467.