
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, April 15, 1995                   TAG: 9504170013
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-7   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

EARTH DAY-RELATED CLEANUPS ARE PLANNED

As the trees and flowers bloom across the New River Valley emphasizing its scenic attractions, local governments and organizations prepare Earth Day projects to clean up and beautify its communities April 22.

Plant trees with Blacksburg Parks and Recreation, 9 a.m.-noon, at Nellie's Cave Park Arboretum. Wear work clothes and bring a shovel and a wheelbarrow. The first 200 volunteers will receive free seedlings.

A planting demonstration kicks off the event. Master Gardeners and the U.S. Forest Service will staff informational booths. A lunch for all volunteers follows.

The rain date is April 23.

For more information, call Dean Crane, 961-1133.

The National Committee for the New River, the Virginia Tech Museum of Natural History, the city of Radford and Giles and Montgomery counties are co-sponsors of the New River Clean Up. Equipment will be provided.

Contact local coordinators for meeting places and times:

Montgomery County: Three groups will cover McCoy/Big Falls, Norris Run and Little River. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. A free picnic follows at Blacksburg Municipal Park, 1:30 p.m. To sign up for a group, call Liz Ritchey, 552-1963.

Radford: Volunteers will clean sand dunes at the upstream end of Bissett Park. 8 a.m.-noon. A free picnic follows at 1 p.m in Wildwood Park. For more information, call Demetria Woods, 731-4768.

Giles County: Llyn Sharp and Dan Sable, 921-2938, are organizers of the Big Walker Creek, McCoy Falls, Ripplemead and Bluff City sites. 9 a.m.-noon. Volunteers may gather at 1 p.m. at the Pearisburg Community Center for a free picnic.

The Montgomery County Improvement Council will again sponsor its annual countywide Broomin' & Bloomin' Clean Up, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., rain or shine.

Volunteers will receive a T-shirt and are welcome at a free picnic following the event sponsored by the Montgomery County Business Community.

To sign up, call the council office, 382-5793.

Volunteers in Radford's Cleanin' 'n' Greenin' project will collect trash from Sundell Drive, Riverview Park and boat ramp, Radford Veterans Park softball area, Park Road and Wildwood Park, 8 a.m.-noon.

A dedication ceremony follows at the newly renovated Wildwood Park, 1-2:30 p.m., with refreshments, music and a trail tour.

For more information or to get an assignment, call Bob Thomas, 633-0081.

by CNB