Greenway: Mississippi River Greenway - 5.01: Mighty Mississippi River Cleanup Challenge 2025
General Description
A little competition never hurts. Join us as we aim to win local bragging rights as the largest, most impactful event on the river (though everyone wins in the end so it's all good). Come and help maintain one of our most beautiful Minnesota treasures.
This year, we will be cleaning up the shoreline, greenway and other areas near Lock and Dam #2 and Jaycee Park in Hastings. All supplies will be provided by county staff. Stay afterwards for a treat and a view of the river.
The Mississippi River is an impressive and historic waterway in Minnesota that runs for 2,340 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. The river is an important waterway through our county and a large chunk of our nation. What we do here in Minnesota directly impacts the remaining 1,700 miles of river.
And how we treat the river matters. In 1926, the Mississippi River was so polluted in the Twin Cities metro area that it had become a dead zone. A survey conducted that year found only three living fish in the 42 mile stretch between Minneapolis and Red Wing. A century later, the river has recovered in large part to many of the restoration and habitat cleanup projects taken on by the community. Lets continue to build upon that legacy.
For more information about the challenge, check out the website at https://goodhuecountymn.gov/1485/Mighty-Mississippi-Cleanup or check out this fun video about why we are choosing this challenge - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHGmWo3wZ3Q.
Location
Jaycee Park
420 Lock & Dam Road
Hastings, MN 55033
Date/Time
Date: Thursday, May 1
Time: 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Help pick up garbage and other debris from the riverfront, roadside, parking areas, and trail system.
- Weather permitting - spring in MN is always a toss up!
- More details will go out as we get closer to the actual event date.
Minimum Qualifications
- Open to all ages, corporate groups, families, etc.
- Supplies and training will be provided.
- If you would like to volunteer as a group (families not included), please contact our Volunteer Coordinator before registering.
Minimum Time Commitment
1.5 hours
Activity Level
Medium - May involve varying amounts of activity (long walks, rough terrain, and moderate physical exertion. May not be recommended for volunteers with physical limitations. Comfortable, sturdy shoes recommended.
Contact Information
Garrett Zaffke | Community Relations and Volunteer Services Coordinator
Dakota County Communications
1590 Highway 55| Hastings, MN 55033
Direct: (651) 438-4635 | Fax: (651) 438-4405 | Email: garrett.zaffke@co.dakota.mn.us
Qualifications Required
- Signed Volunteer Waiver Must be at least Yes
- Accepted Data Privacy Notice - Tennessen Notice Must be Yes
