AUBURN — The annual Cedar Creek Cleanup proved to be another success on Saturday, as volunteers gathered under clear skies and warm temperatures to help restore the local waterway to a cleaner, healthier state.
Volunteers met at the Doc Coleman Landing, just north of Auburn, for the community-wide event organized by the DeKalb County Soil & Water Conservation District, the City of Auburn Water Pollution Control, the City of Auburn Parks Department, and Scout Troop 169. Armed with canoes, kayaks, and garbage bags, participants paddled several miles downstream, collecting debris from the banks and water along the way.
The cleanup effort wrapped up inside Auburn’s scenic Eckhart Park, where participants were shuttled back to the launch site thanks to the support of Auburn’s American Legion Post #97. The Legion generously donated the use of their Honor Guard bus to help ferry volunteers and equipment, a gesture that was deeply appreciated by organizers and participants alike.
Following the cleanup, volunteers were treated to a light lunch featuring hot dogs, cooked fresh on the Legion’s donated hot dog roller. Food and refreshments were provided through donations from the City of Auburn Water Pollution Control department.
What began modestly in 2020 with just three participants, a single canoe, and a seven-hour cleanup mission, has since grown into a well-organized community tradition. This year’s crew, working in teams over about three hours, managed to haul out a truckload of trash, including everything from plastic bottles to old tires, helping to improve water quality and the natural habitat along the creek.
Organizers hope to continue growing the event in future years and are already looking for ways to expand outreach and participation for 2026.
Those interested in participating in next year’s cleanup or learning more about local conservation efforts are encouraged to contact the DeKalb County Soil & Water Conservation District.