The Village of Riverside and the Frederick Law Olmsted Society sponsor Landscape Work Days. The next one is Saturday, May 12 along Riverside Road near Olmsted Road

During several workdays in 2011, dozens of volunteers removed buckthorn and grapevine to reveal a view of the Des Plaines River. Help keep the momentum going! This year, volunteers plan to maintain the cleared section by weeding, applying herbicide & planting native grasses & sedges. Ultimately, the goal is to open up the view along the entire length of Riverside Road and into Miller Woods. With the invasive weeds removed, volunteers found numerous native species such as cup plant, solomon’s seal, wild indigo, woodland sunflower, dozens of oak tree seedlings, elm leaved goldenrod, riverbank wild rye, switchgrass & wafer ash. Come see for yourself!

Scouts are invited to participate, and this project is automatically approved for service hours. It’s also one of the easiest ways to fulfill the community service hour requirement for the Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge: While working on this merit badge, volunteer at least eight hours of your time for the [charitable community] organization. Don’t forget to bring your service hour form to have it signed by one of the volunteers in charge (look for scout parents there). The form is available here: http://troop24riverside.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Service-Hour-Form.pdf

All workdays are scheduled for Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Look for the Riverside Public Works dump truck. Come for an hour or three, whatever your schedule allows. Bring your favorite work gloves & a water bottle, and the service hour form. All other supplies & snacks will be provided.

Future locations & dates:
Scottswood Commons: June 23 & September 22
Riverside Road: June 9 & Sept 8
Scout Cabin area: May 19
Longcommon & Downing triangle: July 14 & Aug 11
Longcommon (Big Ball Park): November 10