The Great Rivers Greenway District, in partnership with the River des Peres Watershed Coalition and the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, invites residents to join in the fight to clean up rivers and creeks within the River des Peres watershed.

From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, the three organizations are sponsoring the third annual River des Peres Trash Bash, a family friendly event being conducted with the goal of improving area neighborhoods and water quality in St. Louis City and County.

Volunteers of all ages are needed to clear litter from several sites, including Gravois Creek in Crestwood and Green Park, Deer Creek in Maplewood and Ladue, Engelholm Creek near the University of Missouri-St. Louis campus, the Lower River des Peres along Germania Street in South St. Louis City and the Upper River des Peres in University City.

Registration will take place from 8 to 8:30 a.m. The main sign-in location will be at Fultz Field, along the River des Peres Greenway on River des Peres Boulevard between Morganford and Gravois in St. Louis City. The second registration site will be at Centennial Commons, at 7210 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63130.

All cleaning supplies will be provided to volunteers.

The cleanup event will last from 8:30 a.m. to noon with a celebratory lunch taking place at Fultz Field from noon to 1 p.m. During lunch, volunteers also will be rewarded for their efforts with entertainment and prizes for the “best” trash finds.

“The annual River des Peres Trash Bash has proven to be a successful cleanup event in previous years, and we are expecting an even bigger turnout this year,” Susan Trautman, executive director of Great Rivers Greenway, stated in a news release. “The St. Louis area is filled with residents who value our waterways and neighborhoods, and we encourage new and old volunteers, alike, to join us for our third annual event and help improve the waterways and neighborhoods located in or around the River des Peres watershed.”

For more information or to register in advance, visit

or call (314) 436-8708.