In partnership with the "Publix Serves" program and Keep Durham Beautiful, Keep North Carolina Beautiful joined over 20 Publix store associates to assist in cleaning up litter from Goose Creek in Durham at both East End and Long Meadow Parks. 

 

We learned that this seemingly innocuous creek, running aside both parks about a mile apart, is important to Raleigh's drinking water; Goose Creek is a tributary of the Ellerbee watershed which feeds into the Falls Lake reservoir. From there it flows into the Neuse River down to the Albemarle-Pamico Sound before emptying into the ocean. 

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As with any litter cleanup, several interesting items were found along with the typical beverage containers (plastic, glass, and aluminum), food/candy wrappers, plastic grocery bags, etc... Among them was an old discarded children's bicycle in one part of the creek, with one side of a training wheels set about a half-mile down the creek; we're not sure if those were related. We also found a brand new 100-foot extension cord, along with the back of an old TV and a variety of other items you wouldn't imagine.

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In addition to cleaning up both areas of the creek, litter was removed from both parks as part of the environmental beautification service project.

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Keep North Carolina Beautiful is grateful for the partnership with Publix and the "Publix Serves" initiative that serves many communities across North Carolina annually.