CHICAGO — Interested Chicagoans can help kayak and canoe their way to make the Chicago River less gross on Sunday.
The fourth Chicago River Clean Sweep is a free annual homage to paddling through parts of the river and grabbing cans, bottles, rope, plastic and other rubbish found in the water.
"We found a floating TV once," said Elianna Rivkin, one of the event's creators and a Lincoln Park resident. "We were saying, 'stuff like that, how did it that end up in here?' "
Rivkin, an assistant guide at Kayak Chicago, helped start the event in 2013, hoping to have three paddlers show up. Instead, there were 50.
Rivkin, a DePaul graduate on her way to becoming a neurophysical rehabilitation nurse, expects as many as several hundred kayakers and other paddlers on Sunday.
The event begins at Kayak Chicago, 1220 W. LeMoyne Ave., and participants can paddle from North Avenue to Chicago Avenue — or essentially around Goose Island. Rivkin said a large amount of floating garbage accumulates in those areas.
"We're not doing water testing; we're cleaning up the garbage," Rivkin said.
All are welcome, and anyone age 12 years or older can kayak solo, while those under age 12 years must be in a boat with an adult.
The Chicago River Clean Sweep, which is free, takes place Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., starting at Kayak Chicago, 1220 W. LeMoyne Ave. Kayaks, clean-up equipment, snacks and water will be provided. For more information, click here.
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