Operation Spring Clean at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

News Release Date: April 2, 2011

Contact: Scott Teodorski, [phone]

Contact: Amy Wilson, [phone]

Volunteer Cleanup and Recycle Day at Yellow Creek

As spring wildflowers and trees begin to bloom, a kaleidoscope of nature's colors, from the brilliant purple of the redbud to the stunning yellow of the forsythia, is bedazzling visitors to southeastern Kentucky.  To keep this beauty from being tarnished, staff at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and the city of Middlesboro are gearing up for a community cleanup along Yellow Creek which borders Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.

The cleanup will take place on Saturday, April 9 and is a joint effort with Operation PRIDE in Middlesboro. "We are pleased to be working with National Park Service staff to do something good for our community and the park," says Randy Melton, Operation PRIDE Coordinator for the city of Middlesboro.  "It's going be to be a great day!" The focus of the cleanup will be removal of litter and recyclables from the banks along Yellow Creek. In addition to cleanup efforts, there will be activities for kids that will be geared toward recycling. "The idea is to get folks together for a day of fun and a little bit of work," says park scientist Amy Wilson.  "We encourage anyone that is interested to come out and join us. Every little bit helps." The cleanup will be followed by a cookout at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in which all participants will be recognized and provided with special prizes for lending a hand and taking pride in their community.

Registration for the cleanup will be from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at the park visitor center. For additional information please call Amy Wilson at [phone], extension 1115. Anyone who is interested in Operation PRIDE in Middlesboro should contact Randy Melton at [phone].