Volunteer Day Saturday April 16

Date: April 5, 2011
Contact: Linda Friar, 305-242-7714; Media Contact
Contact: Kevin R. Bowles Mohr, 305-242-7752

Volunteer Day Saturday April 16

Come out and give back to your national park. Saturday, April 16, 2011 is dedicated as National Park Volunteer Day and marks the beginning of National Parks Week. To kick off the celebration, Everglades National Park will host a Trash Clean-up event.

Over a hundred tires were once illegally dumped near Chekika in the northeastern portion of the Park. With time, vegetation has grown around some of them while others are in the open. The tires need to be removed and then stacked into trailers to be hauled away.

Meet at the Chekika parking lot at 8:00 am. The early morning will be the most ideal working conditions for removing the tires and any other associated trash. Be prepared for hot and humid conditions. Bring plenty of water, snacks and food, and sun protection. Closed toe shoes, pants, and long sleeve shirts are recommended.

All are invited. To volunteer, show up or RSVP to Kevin R. Bowles Mohr at [phone].

Directions: Physical Address - 24200 SW 160th Street, Miami, FL

Chekika is located about 36 miles from downtown Miami and 18 miles from Homestead, Florida. To get there, take the Dolphin Expressway (State Road 836) to the Palmetto Expressway (State Road 826) or the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike. Exit the Palmetto or the Turnpike at Kendall Drive (SW 88th Street), and go west to Krome Avenue (SW 177th Avenue). Turn left and go south about five miles to SW 168th Street. Turn right and go west about six miles to 237th Avenue. Turn right and go north about a mile. Turn left on 168th Street, and you'll be facing west with the entrance to Chekika just ahead.

From the south, take the Turnpike to Eureka Drive (SW 184th Street), go west to Krome Avenue, and turn north to SW 168th Street - or take Krome Avenue due north from Homestead to SW 168th Street and follow directions above.

-NPS-