Friends of Sausal Creek
Join Us for Creek to Bay Day, September 21

by Charlotte Bell

September 21 is Creek to Bay Day, Oakland's way of celebrating International Coastal Cleanup Day. And that means it's a big day for the Friends of Sausal Creek. Last year we had almost 200 people volunteer with us, and we hope to have more this year.

Join us at 9 a.m. at one of our two locations the Dimond Recreation Center (3860 Hanly Road) or the nursery in Joaquin Miller Park (3594 Sanborn Drive, next to the Woodminster Amphitheater). After snacks and an introduction, volunteers will break into groups and start working on projects. Activities will include litter pickup, invasive nonnative plant removal, planting, and propagation of native plants. Activities conclude at noon.

Creek to Bay Day is more than a day where many people come to clean and beautify Sausal (and other creeks). It is a chance for the Friends of Sausal Creek to meet community members and for neighbors to meet each other. As Friends of Sausal Creek volunteer Elliott Smith said during Creek to Bay Day last year, "We're developing a real sense of community, working together along the creek."

Some of our activities will be suitable for children of all ages, and families are encouraged to attend. However, we ask that an adult accompany any child under 12.

Does the creek flow through your neighborhood? Ever wanted to get your neighbors together to clean up along Sausal Creek? If you are willing to lead a cleanup along Sausal Creek in your neighborhood, let us know ahead of time, and we may be able to put your location on our list of projects and send volunteers your way.

For more information about the Friends of Sausal Creek's plans for Creek to Bay Day, please call 501-FOSC (3672) or e-mail coordinator\@sausalcreek.org.

Can't make it to Sausal Creek, but still want to participate? The City of Oakland is also sponsoring creek cleanups at the following sites:

Arroyo Viejo Creek at Arroyo Viejo Park, 7701 Krause Ave.

Glen Echo Creek at Oak Glen Park, across from 3084 Richmond Blvd.

Lake Merritt at the Sailboat House, 568 Bellevue Ave., Lakeside Park

Oakland Estuary, Arrowhead Marsh, take Hegenberger Road towards the Oakland Airport, turn right on Doolittle, turn right on Swan and take to end.

Peralta Creek at César Chávez Park, Foothill Boulevard between 38th Ave. and Bridge Ave.

Peralta Creek at Peralta Hacienda Park, Davis St. between Coolidge Ave. and 35th Ave.

Temescal Creek at the Claremont DMV, Corner of Cavour St. and Redondo Ave.

For more information about these events, call 238-7611, or check out the Watershed Improvement Program Web site, www.oaklandpw.com/creeks.