Go Green Park Ridge is calling on volunteers to help clean up five Cook County forest preserves Saturday, Oct. 3, from 1 to 3 p.m.
The Park Ridge environmental group, led by co-presidents Mark Kleinschmit and Cindy Grau, will send crews to Dam No. 4 Woods, Traegar Picnic Area, Iroquois Woods, Belleau Lake and Axehead Lake. All five are Cook County forest preserves in the Park Ridge area.
Volunteers should meet at the Dam No. 4 parking lot on Dee Road, directly across from Maine South High School, at 1 p.m. From there, teams will fan out to the individual clean-up sites, the Journal & Topics first reported.
The group's cleanup events page describes the outing as a chance to get "into the fresh air, cleaning up our environment, and serving our community." Residents with questions can contact Kleinschmit at [email protected].
Dam No. 4 Woods-East, the staging area for the event, is a Forest Preserves of Cook County site along the Des Plaines River. The preserve is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. Its picnic grove shelter holds up to 200 people and remains accessible through Oct. 31. The unpaved Des Plaines River Trail runs through the grounds.
Go Green Park Ridge works to raise environmental awareness and encourage residents, businesses and local government to act more sustainably. The group also runs a Changemakers program recognizing Park Ridge neighbors and organizations for sustainability efforts.
Upcoming community events
- Friday, Oct. 2 — Park Ridge Lions Club hosts free health screenings at the Park Ridge Community Church.
- Saturday, Oct. 3 — Go Green Park Ridge forest preserve clean-up, 1–3 p.m., Dam No. 4 parking lot, Dee Road.
- Wednesday, Oct. 7 — Pickwick Theatre screens The Exorcist with host Nick Digilio.
