Chattanooga, Tennessee, August 30, 2025
News Summary
Students from Chattanooga State Community College, led by math professor Hersh Patel, are engaged in a cleanup initiative at Tennessee Riverpark. Since fall 2022, they have collected significant litter from the area while raising awareness about the environmental impact of trash in waterways. The ongoing struggle highlights the need for community involvement and cooperation with local organizations to maintain cleanliness and protect the ecosystem.
Chattanooga, Tennessee – Hersh Patel, a math professor at Chattanooga State Community College, along with his students, has taken the initiative to clean up litter at Tennessee Riverpark, tackling an ongoing challenge that seems to persist despite their efforts. Since the fall of 2022, Patel and his students have dedicated their time to restoring the park, focusing particularly on a stretch of riverbank from behind the college near Chickamauga Dam to Coolidge Park.
Their cleanup efforts started when Patel noticed the excessive litter while walking through the park. To encourage participation, he began offering his students extra credit for joining the cleanup campaigns. The group initially aimed to clean the area, but they quickly realized the enormity of the litter challenge. Currently, they can only manage to maintain two clean areas along the riverbank, typically keeping them clean for just a week before the litter accumulates again.
During a recent cleanup, the group collected approximately 30 pounds of trash per session, filling two trash bags with common litter items that included bait containers, glass bottles, fishing lines, plastic bags, and beer cans, which are prohibited per park regulations. This continuous cycle of litter accumulation emphasizes the ongoing struggle for maintaining cleanliness in public spaces.
Community Involvement and Local Impact
Brooke Fleeman, the Director of Operations for WaterWays, highlighted the broader implications of littering. All individuals reside in a watershed, and any litter can contribute to microplastic pollution that affects waterways. In this effort, WaterWays has placed four litter booms in the Chattanooga area, passively collecting nearly 6,000 pounds of trash since the beginning of 2023. Such initiatives aim to focus on stewardship in local watersheds.
The Adopt-A-Waterway program established by WaterWays allows community members to adopt specific sections of streams for maintenance and stewardship, further encouraging civic engagement in keeping local waterways clean. In addition, the annual Tennessee River Rescue event features various cleanup projects, having successfully removed almost 40,000 pounds of trash last year alone. This year’s event is set for October 4.
Government and Community Efforts
The management of Tennessee Riverpark includes oversight from various government bodies. Hamilton County oversees the area from Chickamauga Dam to Veterans Bridge, while the city of Chattanooga manages the section from Veterans Bridge through St. Elmo. Chattanooga Parks and Outdoors has a dedicated custodial crew responsible for litter pickup and emptying trash receptacles in city parks. Park stewards can volunteer for litter control initiatives, and residents can request additional litter receptacles in the park.
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is actively involved in these cleanup efforts, collaborating with community groups and contributing an estimated $200,000 toward river and community cleanup initiatives scheduled for 2025. TVA projects that around 3,000 volunteers will help remove approximately 380,000 pounds of trash from the river during these efforts.
Economic Significance of the Tennessee River
The Tennessee River is significant for the region, providing vital resources valued at about $12 billion to the local economy and supporting roughly 130,000 jobs. To promote awareness and encourage community involvement in cleanup projects, the local affiliate of Keep America Beautiful celebrates October as Keep the Tennessee River Watershed Beautiful Month, with multiple projects, including one at Nickajack Lake on October 18.
Conclusion
The efforts by Hersh Patel and his students to clean the Tennessee Riverpark highlight the persistent issues surrounding litter management. With ongoing community involvement, government initiatives, and educational programs, there is hope for a cleaner and healthier ecosystem in the Chattanooga area.
FAQ
What is the Tennessee Riverpark cleanup initiative?
The Tennessee Riverpark cleanup initiative involves a group of students and their professor from Chattanooga State Community College working to remove litter from the Tennessee Riverpark, focusing on maintaining specific clean areas.
How much litter does the group collect during each cleanup?
During each cleanup session, the group typically collects about 30 pounds of litter, equating to roughly two trash bags full of debris.
Why is litter a problem for waterways?
Litter can travel into waterways, contributing to microplastic pollution. This impacts the water quality and aquatic ecosystems which can have broader effects on human health and the environment.
What is the Adopt-A-Waterway program?
The Adopt-A-Waterway program allows individuals and groups to take responsibility for maintaining specific sections of streams and waterways, promoting community stewardship and engagement in environmental conservation.
What is the economic importance of the Tennessee River?
The Tennessee River provides essential resources that contribute about $12 billion to the local economy, supporting approximately 130,000 jobs in the region.
| Key Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Initiative | Clean-up of Tennessee Riverpark led by Hersh Patel and his students |
| Start Date | Fall 2022 |
| Trash Collected Per Cleanup | Approximately 30 pounds |
| Litter Boom Collections | Nearly 6,000 pounds of trash collected since 2023 |
| Annual Trash Removal (Tennessee River Rescue) | Approximately 40,000 pounds from various projects |
| Estimated Future Volunteers (TVA) | 3,000 volunteers |
| Economic Contribution | $12 billion value to the region’s economy |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Chattanooga Officials Disappointed by EPA Funding Withdrawal
Additional Resources
- Times Free Press: Chattanooga Litter Problem
- Wikipedia: Litter
- Nooga Today: Tennessee River Rescue
- Google Search: Tennessee River cleanup
- WFXG: Augusta Riverwalk Cleanup
- Google Scholar: Environmental Cleanup Initiatives
- Action News 5: Mud Island River Park Cleanup
- Encyclopedia Britannica: River Pollution
Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER
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