By 1808Delaware
The Olentangy River will get some much-needed community attention this August as volunteers gather in Delaware for the annual Olentangy Watershed River Clean-Up. The 2026 event will take place Saturday, August 15, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the South Mingo Park Canoe Launch, 500 E. Lincoln Avenue.
Organized by the City of Delaware, the cleanup brings residents together for a morning of hands-on environmental work aimed at preserving the river and the surrounding watershed.
Into The Water
Volunteers should expect to do more than collect litter from the riverbank. Participants may need to wade through sections of the Olentangy where debris cannot be reached from shore. The city will provide trash grabbers, gloves, safety vests, onion bags, and other cleanup equipment. Participants should wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes that can get wet, along with clothing suitable for water, mud, and dirt. Bare feet and flip-flops will not be permitted.
Paddlers Welcome
Residents with kayaks or canoes are encouraged to bring them. Watercraft can help volunteers reach difficult areas and transport waterlogged trash and larger pieces of debris back to the collection point. Participants are also encouraged to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, and a reusable water bottle.
Registration Required
Space for the cleanup is limited, and advance registration is required. Participants will also be asked to sign waivers before joining the event.
Registration is available through Eventbrite.
Friends, families, and neighbors are invited to take part in the morning effort and help leave one of Delaware’s most important natural resources a little cleaner than they found it.
