Polk County Conservation

Join your fellow paddlers, rowers, walkers, hikers, bicyclists, birders, and other outright river enthusiasts for a day of fun in the sun while keeping our rivers clean at the 23rd annual River Run Garbage Grab (R2G2)! During this cleanup event, volunteers remove litter and debris from the river, creek, and shoreline areas creating a significant positive impact on the health and quality of our waterways. This year, we will focus both land and water-based efforts in and around the Raccoon River from the 1st Street River Access in West Des Moines and from Des Moines Water Works Park. LOCATION & SCHEDULE DETAILS August 8 @ 8:30 AM – 12 PM River Cleanup | 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Launch from 1st Street River Access, WDSM **Water-based participants must provide their own watercraft and life jacket. A shuttle service is available to the first 30 participants. Water-based efforts by boat will launch from the 1st Street River Access in West Des Moines just north of Brown’s Woods and south of Valley Junction. Volunteers will float down the Raccoon River for 4.5 miles and exit at the Water Works Park Boat Ramp. Land Cleanup | 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM | 1st Street River Access & Water Works Park Boat Ramp Land-based efforts focused on shoreline, boat ramp, and parkland cleanup will be offered at the 1st Street River Access boat ramp in West Des Moines and at the Des Moines Water Works Park boat ramp. SCHEDULE Morning Shuttle Service: 7:30 AM Morning Volunteer Check-in: 8:00 - 8:30 AM Project Introduction and Safety Briefing: 8:30 AM - 8:45 AM Land-Based Cleanup Activities: 8:45 - 10:30 AM Water-Based Cleanup Activities: 8:45 AM - 12 PM SHUTTLE SERVICE A shuttle service will be available for up to a maximum of 30 participants. Register below as "Water-based + Shuttle Service" to take advantage of this option. Meet staff at the Des Moines Water Works Park boat ramp at 7:30 AM to begin loading your boat onto trailers. The shuttle will leave promptly at 7:50 AM.