Sunday at 8:30 am about 16 of us met down at the boat launch next to IH-35 for some team building. Really it turned out to be relaxing as well as eye opening. We split up into pairs, so Steve & I got our kayak, trash bags, trash grabbers (these are fun), paddle and life jackets and headed out to the right side of town lake. First of all the temperature is at least 10 degrees cooler, there was a terrific breeze and it was beautiful. Our job was to help pick up the trash along side of the river. At first you really don’t notice anything until you get just a little closer to the sides.
We found so much trash; Styrofoam cups gallore (I thought that went out 10 years ago, apparently NOT – many of them were from WhataBurger), too many water bottles(I am not sure I know agree with the decision to have people bring a bottle to the water stops), tons of plastic bags, tons of straws & some things that were more unusual like a trash can, large plastic tops, and other large pieces of trash. It was very relaxing and it felt productive. We only spent 2 hours and really only were able to clean up about 1/4 of a mile as a team. Even though I wished we could of clean a larger area. I finally feel like I have done something to give back to Town Lake. After years of running around and around it shores with little regard to the beauty and the opportunity it gives, I have finally done something that is beyond my selfish use of this amazing running trail that is the focal point of my running and running in Austin.
We were all so excited by the experience that we promised to do this again. If we only clean up that same 1/4 each and every time at least I know there is one place on TL that gets some attention.
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