Hogans Creek Cleanup: February 12th @ 9:00 am, Noone's Launch Park

[billy]

When is the next one?

[Springfielder]

I also appreciate all of those who worked to clean Hogans, and some of you then came over to the block captains clean and helped there too! I hope that when there's another clean up in the works, that we can coordinate it so it's the only major project taking place, and more of us can be there to help with it. I know for myself, that I would.

[Mueller]

I think I owe Mueller and Noone a bagel.  Miss Fixit is paying for them 

No problem on that.  I was more than happy to help out and sorry I haven't sooner.  Plus Panera bagels make me kinda  .  (Bring back Bagel Time!)

[Noone]

Great time this morning. We pulled a lot from the creek. The people from River Ocean were awesome.



This was at the end of the day. There were a lot more people there.



Some more stuff was taken off on a trailer and a few people were still pulling some stuff, but this is what we pulled out.

24 hours ago there were people making a scene happen at Hogans Creek, Dist 7. A spontaneous gathering of people who are excited about what can happen on our Waterways within our City of Jacksonville.

Lucasjj it was a pleasure meeting you and so so so many others. Your pictures capture a moment where you look at that pile of garbage and it was pulled out and hauled to that spot in just TWO hours. When Lucasjj showed up he had brought two shovels, waders, and PatODo was right behind him ready to break in that new pair of work gloves. We immediately teamed up and hauled out a roll of carpet that was right next to the bridge. A piece of visual blight that once we cut through the roots should allow for a restored shore bank. that's making it happen.

It was a low tide and as stated in a previous post a true work day. Team Skiles had brought their kayak and I had two in my van. My immediate thought was that Doug and his son Jacob have paddled this creek twice on the low tide the toughest paddle and when they finally get to experience it at a high tide that the thrill of that activity in those conditions will then have them pictured on a brochure saying Visit Jacksonville and our Hogans Creek.

By the way Jacob Skiles pulled out the unique find of the day. A bowling ball. And in my book he rolled a strike. And if he didn't make the strike everyone else that was there made the spare with him. It was a perfect 10.

Capt. Zissou in the top pic with Da Monster and other members of that team bring an energy that makes it fun. there is no doubt that the cleanup as it makes it way to the Maxwell House plant will be elevated from the younger members of this community that brings a desire and determination that will truly open this Waterway to its potential. You guys rock.

River Ocean what a team of reinforcements. Elizabeth, Marshal, Matt, I know I'm leaving some out. But your working the banks and picking up bottles and trash and you see a new face and introduce yourself and they say I'm with River Ocean. Thanks for helping. they get right in there.

CG7 was there with his family. This stealth under the radar leader brings that energy that you just want to continue to feed off of. They spotted a rabbit along the shoreline during the clean up. That is cool.

I know I can go on and on but Field I guess you did notice that I broke out my  15 year old or so Jaguar sweatshirt which is now like wearing a skin tight bicycle racing shirt. It was for you. At least it wasn't the sweatpants because then I may have been featured in one of the River Ocean pics. Inside joke for the River Ocean group.

That is the beauty about yesterday. And those who I didn't mention by name a true thank you to everyone. But when you look at the picture of garbage it only happened because everyone in their heart wants it to happen. When people show up there is a silence of purpose. Imagine this Waterway being open for the people of Jacksonville. It's happening.



 

[Ocklawaha]

After we finish with Hogan's Creek, Who's up for some cleaning - sprucing up - planting - weeding and such on I-95 from the railroad to State Street?  What a overgrown sewer our city has become... and it's not the citizens it's the services that refuse to do their jobs.

Various agencies take care of the Interstate and Federal Highways, and I ask you, why Coral Springs or Boca Raton can resemble Eden and Jacksonville resemble the south end of a northbound mule?

Bravo on Hogan's Creek team, let's start planning for HOGAN'S CREEK III.

OCKLAWAHA

[dougskiles]

Jacob cleaned the bowling ball yesterday and is reading to go bowling.  I'll post a picture of it when we go.  For the next cleanup, we will need a jon boat (or similar) to tow along with the kayaks so that we can go farther downstream.  There isn't as much room to walk along the shore in those areas.  But that is where much of the wildlife is.  And where many of the 'camps' are.

I noticed overwhelmingly that most of the trash was associated with the local 'residents'.  I'm not sure how or if we can make them leave.  But we could provide a garbage can and at the very least ask them to throw their bottles, cans and food wrappers in the garbage can.  And maybe teach them something about human sanitation practices...

[Mueller]

After we finish with Hogan's Creek,

OCKLAWAHA

Well, based on the amount of trash we pulled yesterday, that may take a while.  We still gotta get to the St. Johns and then double back all the way up to Shands. 

However, when done, I'm with you Ock!

[River Ocean]

Hey everyone! Thank you all so much for organizing this cleanup. We got a ton done and look forward to doing this again. We are still in shock over how much trash was pulled from such a small section of the creek.
Here are the photos I took yesterday, I thought you all might like to see!  It's much easier to post them on Flickr so you can browse that way.
Thanks again!!
Elizabeth Brown
River Ocean, LLC.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ezbphotography/sets/72157626042868684/

[dougskiles]

Great photos! Thanks Elizabeth for posting them.

[tufsu1]

Sorry I had to cut out so early....hopefully the extra trash bags and gloves came in handy.

[Timkin]

Amazing job , folks..   I am stunned by one day's work , the amount of debris you folks collected from this waterway..

Nooone invited me some time ago to take a tour of this ...I  pledge to participate in this effort... I commend the difference you folks have made and certainly want to help

[Noone]

Elizabeth, Thanks for the great pics. Timkin, It was all collected in two hours. And the funny thing is that we really just went over the same area that we did the first time. Another difference is we went from 7 people to over 20. It will be more challenging and fun as we make our way toward the river.

[Captain Zissou]

I was blown away by the number of people who came out to help.  There had to be about 30 people there, which is amazing.  The pile of trash in the pictures is really only about 2/3 of what we got.  A large chunk got hauled off in a trailer at around 10.  Everyone had a great attitude and was more than willing to get dirty.  I can't wait for Hogan's Creek III. 

[north miami]

In other positive forward leanings recall City of Jacksonville Tributary Assessment Dana Morton notes water quality improvement trend for Hogans Creek.

Mike Hollingsworth reports his own recent review of the Creek,something to do with JU,including critter sampling via net (don't 'ya just love these guys!!) which revealed pollution intolerant critters- a good sign.

Mike also notes attention from the EPA Earth Justice program. Google various EPA/Hogans Creek.

[PeeJayEss]

When is the next one?

ditto