Sparkling Cleanliness Radiates Outward

It all began a mere four years ago, when a select few Shore Club Members introduced a plan to focus a combined community effort toward clearing the mounting litter, trash and debris accumulating on the undeveloped city parcel known as the Hughes property located on the western shore of Angle Lake. The ‘Clean Sweep’ was formed and the initial job proved to be much larger than originally anticipated requiring most of the team to remain concentrated on that single area during this first outing.

Returning the following year allowed the team to touch up the shoreline along the Hughes Property and to expand the focus to the remaining areas around the lake where discarded sinks, radiators and other garbage was gathered from below the surface waters.  The year after volunteers were able to expand out and cover surface streets and public right of ways surrounding the lake where mattresses, tires, discarded clothing and more cans, bottles, and trash were gathered.

This year nearly 30 club members and friends gathered at the Angle Lake Park boat ramp to collect bags, trash grabbers and gloves furnished by the City of SeaTac Parks Department.  The group then split up with part heading out to the main streets and thoroughfares and the rest equipped with snorkels, fins and dive tanks to take on the job of clearing the shoreline and deeper waters of Angle Lake.

When complete, the trash recovered filled the back end of a Parks Department flat bed service truck. Content consisted mostly of litter, cans and bottles, a few tires but also included a few unique finds recovered from under the water. That which included half a wooden boat; a lawnmower with grass catcher still attached; plus a Browning 30 caliber machine gun acquired adjacent to the fishing docks at the public park.

Lonnie Goulet displays his most unique find!

At the ALSC hosted volunteer recognition luncheon, police were dispatched to investigate the find and although the gun was no longer in working order, regulations required that the officer recover the weapon with claims that it would be included into a ‘Peace Brick’ type program where it and other weapons would be melted down into commemorative plaques and other ornamental items.

Clean Sweep is now a well established annual program having a noticeable positive impact in our community. Thank you to all who volunteered and congratulations to Raffle Prize winners: Curtis Steinke; Debbie Beck; Annie Goulet; and Mark. Images of the event are available for viewing in our online photo album.