Kewash regulars keep trail clean

WASHINGTON — Just over a dozen community members joined forces to clean up the Kewash Trail despite the sleet, snow, and chilly temperatures, Saturday morning.

“We had a good turn out even though the weather made it not a great day for it,” Washington YMCA Director of Health and Wellness Kyla Wilkening said.

Bundled up with coats, hats, and gloves, the Kewash Trail saw significantly more action than it normally would on such a cold April morning.

The Kewash Klean Up event came just in time to celebrate Earth Day and prepare the trail for the upcoming Kewash Half Marathon.

Many of those that came together to clean the trail did so because they benefit from it regularly.

“I use the trail a lot, so I feel good about picking it up,” participant Linda Marie said as she made her way back to the beginning with a garbage bag full of trash.

“So, I am running the Kewash run next weekend and we do use the trail quite a bit,” Tammy Haman said. “It’s just nice to see it clean.”

Haman enlisted the help of three of her four young children for the clean up day.

“I want the earth to be clean,” 8-year-old Kassidy Marek said of her reasoning for picking up.

Kassidy also helped her little sister Braley convey a message of wanting to help the environment.

Thankfully, according to Wilkening, the crew managed to clean up the trail in only an hour before returning to warmer activities for the rest of the weekend.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com