Clean Streams
EVENT CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER CONCERNS
Based
on the extended forecast, the Clean Stream Day scheduled for Saturday,
April 14th, is cancelled. The forecast indicates showers and
thunderstorms likely tonight and Saturday’s forecast has a 60% chance of
showers and thunderstorms before 1 p.m.
We do not have a rain
date for this event. All of the registered volunteers will be contacted
and we will work with them on an individual team level to schedule a
“mini-event” for their group. We have all of the supplies and are more
than happy to work with all of the committed volunteers to remove the
trash in our creeks.
We also encourage volunteers to contact our
Volunteer Specialist to register and participate in the City’s future
adopt a trail/stream program.
2012 SPRING EVENT
Our next big Clean Stream event is set for April 14, 2012 -- register as a volunteer by April 6. Learn more below.
A big THANK YOU to all of the volunteers who helped us on Clean Stream Day on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011. You helped clean 2,700 pounds (1.35 tons) of trash from portions of Spencer Creek and tributaries to Dardenne Creek! We recycled 235 pounds of this trash. All aluminum cans from the event (7 pounds total) were sent to the Pennies for Patriots program.
The City of St. Peters tries to organize a community volunteer program each year to clean our streams of debris for healthier streams. Trash can harm habitat and wildlife, plus cause creek bank erosion and possibly flooding. Clean Stream Days are great activities for families, Scout groups, church groups, and individuals wanting to contribute to the well being of their community.
Mayor Len Pagano said, “The volunteers who participate in cleaning our streams year after year provide a very valuable community service. The cleanliness and overall quality of our waterways are an important part of our quality of life.“
Check back here to find out more about the City of St. Peters' next Cleans Streams event. This page will be updated when details become available. You can sign up for email updates below.
The City of St. Peters began hosting an annual Clean Streams Day in 2000. Each year volunteers are needed to help clean our streams. Over the years tons of debris have been pulled from our streams by hundreds of volunteers. The City recycles what it can, usually about 40 percent of what is collected. The rest is hauled off to a landfill.
Volunteer Information
- Clean Stream Day: Saturday, April 14, 2012
- Check-in time: 8 a.m.
- Where: St. Peters City Hall Parking lot (near the west entrance)
- Clean Stream Details: Volunteers will clean portions of Spencer Creek and tributaries to Dardenne Creek. Volunteers should dress appropriately for the weather; long pants and boots are recommended. No flip flops! Volunteers will check in at 8 a.m. and depart at 8:30 a.m. to clean the creek segments. We will return to the parking lot at 11:30 a.m. for a free hot dog lunch, giveaways, and displays. Volunteers will be required to provide their own transportation to the creek sites.
- You can choose the creek segment you’d like to clean! CLICK HERE to see an overall listing of creek segments, which are grouped by level of difficulty to clean. When you fill out the volunteer registration form, you can enter the segment number for the portion of creek that you'd like to clean. REGISTER ONLINE now or DOWNLOAD A PRINTABLE REGISTRATION FORM (pdf format).
- Check-in Details: Volunteers are asked to check in at the registration table when they arrive. For those members participating with a group (such as Scouts or a school club), we ask you to check in with your group leader instead; and then the leader will check you in as one group at the registration table. After checking in, volunteers can enjoy free donuts and juice, while everyone is arriving. At 8:30 a.m., safety instructions will be given and the teams will depart for their assigned stream segment. Registration: The event is free, but PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. No registration will be accepted after April 6, 2012. Register online now or print out this registration form and mail it in or fax it (numbers on the form). You can CHOOSE THE CREEK LOCATION you would like to clean.
- Freebies: During the morning check-in, volunteers will enjoy free juice and donuts. Also, after cleaning the creeks, volunteers will receive a free hot dog lunch provided by the City of St. Peters. In addition, volunteers will receive a free T-shirt provided by Missouri Department of Conservation Stream Team.
- See Frequently Asked Questions
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Pick Your Creek Segment
Volunteers are encouraged to choose the segment of creek they would like to clean during the Clean Stream Day. First, click on one of these overall maps to see which creek segments we are targeting this year within:
Below is a listing of the creek segments that we are targeting this year, grouped by level of difficulty to clean (steep banks, trail access, etc.). Click on the creek segment number to see an aerial image of the creek segment as well as directions and parking limitations.
EASY TO ACCESS CREEK FROM BANK
SC-6 - Spencer Creek Park (along City of St. Peters trail)
SC-11 - Country Creek subdivision (along City of St. Peters trail)
SC-12 - Tanglewood subdivision (along City of St. Peters trail)
SC-13 - Millwood subdivision (along City of St. Peters trail)
SC-14 - Millwood subdivision (along City of St. Peters trail)
SC-15 - Directly behind City Hall (along City of St. Peters trail)
SC-17 - Behind St. Peters Condominiums (along City of St. Peters trail)
DC-1 - Mid Rivers Estates
DC-2 - Crystal Lakes Estates
DC-8 - Ohmes Farm Subdivision
PC-1 - Between Danielle Downs and Heritage Manor subdivisions
CD-2 - Englewood Subdivision, off Salt Lick Road
MEDIUM EFFORT, BANKS MAY BE HIGH & STEEP, MAY HAVE DEEP POOLS OR IN A COMMERCIAL AREA
DC-3 - Drainage channel, Suemandy Drive (near Ramone’s Macaroni Grill)
DC-4 - Drainage channel off Spencer Road (near Costco)
DC-5 - Between Villa Du Pre and Drover’s Crossing subdivisions (along trail)
DC-6 - Between Brookmount Estates and Carrington Place subdivisions (trail)
DC-7 - Woodlands Sports Park
SC-1 - Near playground on Mexico Road (west of City Hall)
SC-2 - Spencer Hill subdivision
SC-3 - South of soccer fields behind City Hall (off Indacom Drive)
SC-4 - Carrington Estates subdivision (along City of St. Peters trail)
SC-5 - Misty Valley Estates/Carrington Estates subdivisions (along City trail)
SC-7 - Spencer Creek South subdivision
SC-8 - Spencer Creek South subdivision
SC-9 - Just north of Willott Road
SC-10 - Covenant Park (along City of St. Peters trail)
SC-16 - Klondike Crossing and First Executive (east of Lutheran High School)
CD-1 - Brookwood and Canterbury Park subdivisions, off Salt Lick Road
MC-1 - Between McClay Village and McClay Gardens subdivisions on McClay Road
Keep track of the creek segment number that you would like and enter the number when you fill out the registration form. Learn more about how to volunteer.
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Safety Information for Clean Stream Volunteers
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
- Wear long pants and closed toe shoes, such as boots or old tennis shoes. NO FLIP FLOPS.
- Gloves are provided, but we may run out or the gloves may be too big for some smaller hands.
- Do not bring pets.
- A light backpack is helpful to carry extra water, sunscreen, and bug repellent.
- We will supply bottled water.
ON THE CREEK BANK:
- Keep an eye out for your fellow team members. Use a buddy system.
- Regroup periodically and take a head count of your team members.
- We give your team captains a brightly colored safety vest to wear--make sure you can always see them.
- Do not try to move extremely heavy items. Remove any mud before lifting large, heavy items.
- Roll tires, do not try to lift them.
- Watch for poison ivy.
- Leave ALL wildlife alone; you are their guest.
- Never walk on a brush pile.
- Do not remove natural debris, e.g, brush or leaves, these provide food and habitat for wildlife.
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Frequently Asked Questions
WHO CAN VOLUNTEER?
Individuals of any age (with proper supervision), families, groups and organizations of any type can volunteer. Pre-registration is required.
I HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN. CAN THEY PARTICIPATE IN CLEAN STREAM DAY?
Yes! However, availability of “kid-friendly” segments is limited. These segments are described in the easy category on the Pick Your Creek section. We encourage groups with young children to pre-register early for these locations because they are limited. These sections are next to trails, so if parents are not comfortable with their children cleaning in the creek, they can also clean along the banks and trail.
CAN I BRING A WHOLE GROUP OF PEOPLE?
Yes, please do! Scouts, neighbors, church groups, school groups, etc., are all welcome. But please pre-register so we can accommodate you on the best stream segment for your number and abilities.
HOW DO I PRE-REGISTER?
You can pre-register online by clicking here. Or you can pre-register by downloading the registration form and faxing the completed form to (636) 477-1044. Forms will also be available at the welcome desk at St. Peters City Hall.
THE REGISTRATION FORM ONLY HAS ROOM FOR 15 NAMES. I HAVE MORE THAN 15 PEOPLE IN MY GROUP. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
If your group has more than 15 people, please mark the box on the form indicating you have more than 15 people in your group. When we receive your registration form, we will contact you for the additional names.
ON THE REGISTRATION FORM, WHY DO I HAVE TO MARK IF THEY ARE A CHILD OR ADULT?
The registration form has a place to indicate if the registering volunteer is a child or an adult. We provide gloves in two sizes, child and adult, and this helps us know how many gloves of each size to order.
HOW DO I DECIDE WHICH CREEK SEGMENT TO CHOOSE?
You may choose to clean a creek segment that runs through your neighborhood, or next to your school, or perhaps along a trail that you frequently use. Still can’t decide? Take a look at the overall map showing which creek segments are targeted during this clean-up, and then read the category description for each segment to see which one interests you most.
I’VE FINALLY DECIDED ON THE CREEK SEGMENT I WANT TO CLEAN, BUT THE FORM SAYS IT’S UNAVAILABLE. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
We limit the number of volunteers on each segment; when a creek segment has reached its “maximum capacity” for volunteers, we mark that segment as unavailable on the form. By limiting the number of volunteers per segment, we can spread the volunteer effort across more creek mileage for an even bigger clean-up impact watershed-wide. If the segment you have chosen is unavailable, please choose another segment to clean.
I’VE NEVER PARTICIPATED IN A CLEAN STREAM DAY BEFORE, WHAT CAN I EXPECT?
Here’s the schedule of events:
- Check in: 8:00-8:30AM
- Exhibits: 8:00AM-NOON
- Kick Off and Safety Talk: 8:30AM
- Clean Up: 9:00-11:30AM
- Lunch (for volunteers only): 11:30AM
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AT CHECK-IN?
If you have registered as part of a Scout troop, church organization, or school group, please check in with your group leader only. Then, after your group has checked in with your group leader, the group leader can approach the check-in table. This will allow for a faster check-in process. If you have registered as an individual or as a family, please go directly to the check-in table and we will mark you on our list. At check-in, we will confirm the number in your group, confirm the creek segment you picked to clean, give you gloves and direct you to your staging area where you will find trash bags for your use. T-shirts may also be picked up after check-in.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Prepare to get dirty! Wear protective clothing, such as long pants and close-toed shoes that won’t get sucked off if you step in mud. NO FLIP FLOPS. We will supply simple work gloves, but you may want to bring gloves for the kids in case ours are too big. Bug repellent is recommended.
WHERE DO I PICK UP MY FREE T-SHIRT?
The free T-shirts are available to all volunteers on a first-come, first-served basis. They will be available in the morning for volunteers to pick up after they check in.
IF WE ARE CHECKING IN AT CITY HALL, HOW DO WE GET TO THE CREEK TO CLEAN IT?
The event kick-off is in the parking lot at St. Peters City Hall so we can hand out supplies. Volunteers are required to provide their own transportation to their assigned creek segment. Don’t know how to get to your creek segment? Click here to find your creek locations. (Click on your creek segment number and you’ll get an aerial map with general directions printed at the bottom).
HOW DO WE CLEAN THE TRASH OUT OF THE CREEK? WHAT DO WE DO WITH IT?
Each team will be shadowed by a City worker driving a truck, and you will determine the best locations to consolidate the pulled out trash. You may decide to keep some members on the top of bank, to act as “runners” to take the trash to the consolidation locations. ALL trash should be loaded into City trucks for proper disposal.
WHERE SHOULD I PARK AT CITY HALL?
There is plenty of parking in the City Hall lot--additional parking is available by the Rec-Plex and on the Rec-Plex South parking lot. Please do not park in the areas blocked with cones or rope, as this is the event staging area.
WHAT IF IT RAINS?
This is a rain or shine event. However, if severe weather is in the forecast a decision whether or not to hold the event will be made on Friday the day before the event and posted on this website. If the weather is uncertain, you may also call 636.477.6600, ext. 1321, for a pre-recorded message.
WHERE SHOULD I PARK AT THE CREEK?
Please take a look at the map for the creek segment number you are cleaning. Parking areas are noted as yellow circles or squares, and are typically located on cul-de-sacs near the creek segments. There will be flyers distributed at check-in for placement on your car dashboard indicating you are parked there while cleaning the creek.
IT SAYS FREE DONUTS, JUICE AND COFFEE. WHERE WILL THIS BE LOCATED?
After checking in, volunteers are encouraged to fuel up with free donuts, juice and coffee. We will also have bottled water.
IT SAYS VOLUNTEERS GET A FREE LUNCH. WHAT’S FOR LUNCH?
The City will provide a free hotdog lunch, with chips and a drink for the volunteers starting at 11:30 a.m. The St. Peters/Central County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) donates their time and talent to cook and serve up the lunch.
I CANNOT VOLUNTEER THIS TIME. WHEN IS THE NEXT CLEAN STREAM EVENT?
We typically have clean stream events in April and October. However, if you have a group that would like to clean a creek for service hours or for scouting badges, we can help you do that anytime. Please contact the volunteer coordinator or call 636.279.8207 if you are interested.
WHAT IF I CAN’T FIND AN ANSWER TO MY QUESTION HERE?
Contact us by email or call us at 636.279.8207. We’ll answer your question and update this page accordingly.
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