Park District Holding 3rd Annual Grays Lake Shoreline Clean-Up

When volunteers are out cleaning up the shoreline of Grays Lake, they typically find items like soda cans, bags and worm containers.

But last year, a boater retrieved the top of a dog house from the water while he was volunteering at the Grays Lake Shoreline Clean Up event.

On June 8, volunteers can participate in the third annual event, which will include two sections of the shoreline that are publicly-owned—Jones Island Beach and a stretch of shoreline along Route 120.

"The intent of the program was to enlighten people of the proximity of Grays Lake and the availability of recreation on the lake—and to encourage conservation of it," said Jeff Nehila, executive director of the Grayslake Park District.

Nehila said the mission of the event seems to be working. While volunteers collected about 30 garbage bags worth of debris during the first two years of the event, Nehila said there was less debris collected last year than the year before.

He said the event will also include a treasure hunt. There will be treasure chests stashed through the designated clean-up areas. The treasure chests will contain items like gift certificates and cash.

Nehila said children generally find the prizes.

"It's a great incentive," he said. "It's really cool to see the kids get out with their families."

The event, he added, is also a great way to continue to promote Jones Island Park. The Grayslake Park District received a $400,000 grant to renovate the entire park, including seawall replacement, two brand-new picnic shelters, a flooding control system, creation of a trail system throughout the park and beach improvements, Nehila said.

The clean-up event will take start at 9:30 a.m. June 8 at Jones Island Beach and will end at 11 a.m. Breakfast snacks will be provided, along with a light lunch after the event.

Interested in participating? Contact Jeff Nehila at (847) 223-7529 or by email at jnehila@glpd.com to preregister for proper shirts sizes.