Saturday, Oct. 30 event to spruce up future greenway at Percy Priest Lake

La Vergne, Tenn. – The City of La Vergne and the Nashville Clean Water Project are joining forces for a lake-side community Clean-Up at Percy Priest Lake, beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30. Choked by garbage that flowed in from the early May floods, the clean up will take place along the old road bed near the Hurricane Creek Boat Ramp, off Stones River Road in La Vergne.

Advance registration is encouraged at www.CleanPercyPriest.org.  Check-in will begin at 9 a.m. with the actual clean-up beginning at 9:30 a.m. A complimentary hotdog lunch will be provided after the event for participating volunteers.

The Nashville Clean Water Project is an ongoing, volunteer-based project started in 2007 to combat trash and dumping problems at Percy Priest Lake. The effort has amassed strong corporate support from the likes of Waste Management, Bridgestone Americas, Envolve Strategies, Team Green/Lightning 100, and others with acute interests in environmental, sustainable and community initiatives.

Organizers of this cleanup are seeking Scout troops, churches, school groups, as well as individuals to help make the area more attractive.

"The old road bed is a part of the proposed greenway system within the city," said Parks and Recreation Department Director Robin Grubb. "We have been working with the Corps of Engineers and the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) on making this trail a reality for our system. It's a beautiful area with lots of scenic spots that will allow people to enjoy walking while coming into contact with nature. With the help of the Nashville Clean Water Project volunteers, we are hoping to make this more aestetically pleasing for hikers, hunters and fishers alike."

Grubb said that the trash along the trail usually flows up onto land during high water and that the debris left from the May flooding has really littered the area with all types of trash.

Mark Thien, co-organizer of the Nashville Clean Water Project, said the service-minded group has been quick to step up: "When the city of La Vergne inquired about a partnership, we suspected folks from the surrounding Middle Tennessee communities would support their public green spaces initiative. Sixty volunteers have pre-registered which is fantastic, but the project could still benefit from a bunch more."

Grubb said that the clean up of this trail is important for the City and the Parks and Recreation Department.

"As a part of our parks system, we have proposed five to 10 miles of greenways around the city, eventually tying in with Smyrna's and Nashville's greenways," she said. "The Parks and Recreation Department knows that it's important to have trails around the city on which to get exercise and enjoy the great outdoors. We are actively working on making our proposal a reality in the near future."

Pre-registration is encouraged for a well-organized event and will continue through midnight Friday, October 29 at www.CleanPercyPriest.org.   Day-of registration will begin at 9 a.m at Hurricane Creek Recreation Area off Stones River Road, in La Vergne.