The City of Mount Rainier, in partnership with the University of Maryland and MNCPPC Parks and Recreation Department, is joining other cities for Good Neighbor Day on Saturday, Nov. 12. from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon.

Join your neighbors and the Green Team to help clean up a small, forested area on the South Side of the City.  

Message from Councilmember Luke Chesek:

On November 12, from 8:30 am to noon, join your neighbors and the Green Team to help clean up a small, forested area on the south side of Mount Rainier, and check out the great new murals that adorn the Otis Street art studios. We are gathering right in front of the Otis Street Arts Studios (3706 Otis St. Mount Rainier) while the forested area we'll be cleaning out sits on the southwestern corner of the lot located at 3600 Wells Ave.

As is, the forested area is significantly overgrown with many invasive vines, litter, and several large pieces of debris (e.g., a couple of tires). We hope to remove as much of the invasive vines, trash, and debris as possible. We will be replacing the invasive species with native bushes (paw paws and spicebush), as well as a native perennial, riverboat, to help stabilize the embankments in this stretch of shaded forest.

The neat part about this forested area is it is home to a gulley and headwater spring of the Dueling Creek. Like we did with the forest trail attached to the Food Forest, we hope to find a way to clear a path next to this little creek that could eventually transform into a beautiful forest walk of its own. With a difficult topography to navigate, we'll need all the help we can get! We'll have gloves and tools onsite but bringing your pair of gloves and/or loppers is welcomed and encouraged.  

This event is in partnership with the University of Maryland and MNCPPC, through its Good Neighbor Day programming. As a result, we ask that volunteers sign up using this registration link. Registering will ensure we have a good head count and enough t-shirts and snacks for everyone. We're also working to get some warm drinks (think hot chocolate or warm cider) and warming stations as well. We will also have a cooler with drinks.  

If you have any questions, please email Councilmember Luke Chesek at LChesek@mountrainiermd.org.