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ANKENY, Iowa- The City of Ankeny hosted their 17th annual Earth Day Watershed Cleanup event on Saturday.

Volunteers gave back to the community by clearing up several parks along Southwest Des Moines Street that contain wetlands, stream channels, sediment forebays, and ponds.

Community members met at 8AM and the Midway Park parking lot where there was a table with information on the event. The city provided trash bags and vinyl gloves.

The goal for the event is to remove trash from this area so that it doesn’t get stuck in the waterways.

Becky Ford is the city’s Stormwater and Environmental Manager. She said that every year the area they clean up doesn’t look like it contains much litter, but they end up hauling eight to ten truck loads by the end of the event.

“Just come on out but please dress ready to get dirty. So, if you have gardening gloves, bring them, wear shoes you’re okay with getting dirty, jeans. We do provide trash bags and vinyl gloves if people need them, but otherwise just come in ready to have fun and get a little bit dirty,” said Ford.

The event will continue through 11AM, and volunteers don’t have to stay the entire time. The event is a family-friendly event and people of all ages can take part.