Cooperative effort results in cleaned-up litter after flooding

Published on September 01, 2022

Heavy rains hit Fort Worth Aug. 21-22, depositing large amounts of litter and debris along the banks of the Trinity River, Lake Worth and Lake Arlington. After the storm, City staff received numerous complaints about the litter and activated a multi-organization task force to respond.

The partnership involved the City of Fort Worth, Keep Fort Worth Beautiful, Tarrant Regional Water District, UpSpire, Streams & Valleys and hundreds of eager volunteers.

Cleanup efforts began quickly after crews identified areas of the river that were most impacted by the storms, starting with Panther Island. This popular spot is where crews removed some of the heaviest trash loads, while volunteers focused on some of the most-traveled trails.

In all, their efforts filled one and a half dumpsters with debris from the island in one day. The next day, the group moved to a one-mile stretch of the bank along the Trinity River near Fourth Street.

Over four days, Thursday-Sunday, 356 Keep Fort Worth Beautiful volunteers responded alongside work crews. Volunteers showed their Trinity River pride by cleaning Panther Island, Clear Fork Trailhead, Cold Springs Trailhead, Greenway Park, the Isbell Road Pond, the White Settlement Trailhead and others.

Cleanup efforts have continued into this week as contractors respond at Lake Worth. City contractors are scheduled to begin cleanup at Lake Arlington in the coming days.

Want to pitch in? Contact Keep Fort Worth Beautiful at 817-392-2046.

Photo: Keep Fort Worth Beautiful board members were among more than 350 volunteers who removed trash and debris from waterways.

Get articles like this in your inbox. Subscribe to City News.