FORT RILEY, Kan. - Boy Scouts from Fort Riley took an opportunity to give back to the community April 18 by donning work gloves and cleaning up the Fort Riley Marina on Milford Lake.
According to Mike Houck, threatened and endangered species biologist at Fort Riley, after a prescribed burn at the marina, it was obvious there was a lot of trash in the area that needed to be cleaned up. So he called the Boy Scouts of America Troop 60.
After arriving at the marina at 8 a.m., the scouts got straight to work and three and a half hours later had removed 64 bags of trash from the area.
Trash removed included mostly glass bottles and aluminum cans, however, some rare finds such as a pre-1960s typewriter, a table and chairs and stereo equipment also were found on the grounds and cleaned up.
Corby Wolf, marina manager, estimated it has been about 20 years since the marina was cleaned and said it would help get ready for the May 2 marina grand opening. Despite the long time between cleanings, he said there was not as much trash lying around as he expected, and he was glad to have the scouts to help.
"We really appreciate their help," Wolf said.
Scout Master Vince Van Cleave said in addition to providing a service for Fort Riley, the cleanup was a way to put the concept of "leaving no trace" on the environment into practice. He also said several boys were picking out fishing spots during the cleanup.
The marina will open May 1, with the grand opening from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 2. For more information about the Fort Riley Marina, call 785-307-3798 or visit www.rileymwr.com.
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