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Over the past few years, individuals, including Winchester Stormwater Coordinator Shanda Cecil and Winchester-Clark County Parks and Recreation Aquatics Director Kevin Ryan, have participated in the Strode’s Creek Clean-Up Event. 

This year’s clean-up will take place at a different location. 

The 2024 Strode’s Creek Clean-Up will occur in front of Woody’s Sports Bar & Grill and the Planet Fitness just off Bypass Road, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 11th. 

“We’ve cleaned the Barnes Drive location for several years,” said Cecil. “To my knowledge, the area we’re [going to] clean this year hasn’t been cleaned in several years. The last time it was cleaned, ROTC picked up trash. There was just an enormous amount.” 

To comply with Municipal Separate Stormwater Systems (MS4) stormwater requirements, opportunities such as the clean-up are provided for individuals in the community to make a positive environmental impact. 

The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet provides a program responsible for regulating polluted stormwater runoff commonly transported through MS4, which can then be discharged untreated into local water bodies. 

In this case, if left untreated, pollutants from Strode’s Creek could potentially reach the Ohio River, Mississippi River, and—eventually—the Gulf of Mexico. 

During previous years, various littered items have been found. 

Food wrappers, straws, pop bottles, paper bags, plastic cups, and other items are frequently a source of litter. 

Construction materials, empty prescription bottles, cigarette lighters, car tires, and wooden tables have also been found.

“Litter is a big problem for not only our creeks but also our rivers and oceans,” Cecil added. “We just feel like if we work at our headwaters and reduce the litter coming from our neighborhood, then we’ll reduce those impacts.” 

The event, which typically lasts approximately one hour, is open to everyone, and participants can stay as little or as long as they like. 

“I’m hoping we have great participation,” Cecil added. “I’m hoping they make the connection that what they do on the land affects water quality…we all have the ability to impact it either negatively or positively.” 

Adding that the clean-up enhances visual appeal, Cecil notes that the efforts are one of many – including the Main Street Clean Sweet in the spring – undertaken to improve the community. 

“[If] someone is looking for an educational outdoor activity for their kid this summer, I can help with that,” she said. 

For any questions about the event or stormwater management, Cecil can be contacted at scecil@winchesterky.org or 859-355-1084.