Volunteers sought Oct. 1 for Cossatot Park cleanup

WICKES -- Volunteers are needed on Oct. 1 to participate in the annual fall litter pickup at Cossatot River State Park.

The cleanup is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is being held in conjunction with the Great Arkansas Cleanup, the annual fall statewide litter pickup campaign promoted by Keep Arkansas Beautiful.

Everyone is encouraged to participate in this year's litter-pickup effort. Civic and service organizations, church and youth groups, school groups and clubs, scouts, individuals, families, neighborhoods, and businesses can organize cleanup teams and pitch in.

Sign in will be 9 a.m. at the Cossatot River State-Park Natural Area Visitor Center. Volunteers will be transported to where they will be working throughout the park. Safety vests, trash bags, gloves and other supplies will be provided.

Volunteers should bring their own snacks, water and pick-up sticks or grabbers. Park rangers also highly recommend wearing boots and insect repellent for this event. Lunch will be provided to those who participate.

This year's local cleanup is sponsored by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department, Keep America Beautiful and Keep Arkansas Beautiful Foundation.

The Great Arkansas Cleanup grew out of an effort that began more than 40 years ago as the Greers Ferry Lake and Little Red River Cleanup.

In 1985, then-U.S. Sen. Dale Bumpers guided legislation requiring an annual pickup event during the weekend after Labor Day on all federal lands. This law, the Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Act, honors the founder of the event.

The Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission is a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. For more information about KAB, visit KeepArkansasBeautiful.com or stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Cossatot River State Park is located on U.S. 278 West near Wickes. From Texarkana, take U.S. 71 north.

State Desk on 09/23/2016

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