Three local organizations have come together to organize the annual lakes cleanup project slated for Saturday morning.

Volunteers are asked to meet at Frank Hall Park from 9 a.m. to noon.

Gloves, trash bags and bottled water will be available for participants.

“It’s really important that the community is aware of the things that are ending in our waterways,” said Laura Lunde, organizer with the Lakes Foundation of Albert Lea. “All of the city storm sewers that are running by the lake run off into the lake, and anything discarded into the street does end up in the waterway.”

Lunde said eventually discarded items make their way over the Fountain Lake dam, through the channel and into Albert Lea Lake.

Because of this, volunteers will be asked to walk along the shorelines to gather trash or help sort trash as it comes in.

Lunde said since 1934 — when a lakes restoration organization was first formed — community members have pulled out at least one entire car, more than 1,200 rubber tires, copy and fax machines, refrigerators, bed frames, hundreds of bicycle frames, shoes, bottles and aluminum cans during the annual cleanup.

The effort is also put on with the Fountain Lake Sportsmen’s Club and the Shell Rock River Watershed District and through the sponsorship of about a handful other organizations and businesses.

Community members with shallow water boats are invited to bring them to the event.

Lunde said this year there will be a prize of a $25 Walmart gift card for the person who finds the most notable or strange trash item in the lake.

 

Hometown Pride Cleanup Day

The Albert Lea City Council has also declared Saturday as Hometown Pride Cleanup Day at the city Transfer Station and Demolition Landfill.

City residents will be able to dispose of items free of charge or at reduced rates.

Reduced rates from 9 a.m. to noon that day will be the following:

• Free brush and yard waste, free household garbage, free demolition debris

• $10 per appliance and sofa beds

• $5 per furniture piece

• $3 per tire

Proof of residence is required.