Volunteers clean up Prospect Hill this Saturday
Oct. 13, 2002
KALAMAZOO -- Volunteers are still needed to help clean up Prospect Hill on Western Michigan University's historic East Campus. The third session in the ongoing project will kick off at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19.
The project is spearhead by the Hilltoppers, which was formed to work with WMU Landscape Services to improve and maintain Prospect Hill. The hill overlooks the Vine Street neighborhood and was the site of WMU's original buildings, but its dramatic view of downtown Kalamazoo has been marred by a decade's worth of overgrowth.
The effort to clean up the hill and restore that view began in October 2001 when about 200 people turned out to clear a large portion of the bottom half of the hillside along Davis Street. During the second phase of the project, in April, more than 400 volunteers cleared much of the hill's upper portion.
The third phase will focus attention on the slope behind North Hall, WMU's first library building. Volunteers will be needed to work on the hillside, serve refreshments and staff the first-aid station.
Those planning to participate in cleanup work should wear boots, work gloves and protective eyewear. Volunteers will not be required to cut brush or bring any tools, as the material to be removed will be cut in advance by WMU's Landscape Services. Gloves and eyewear will be provided for those who don't have these items.
All volunteers are welcome. However, children age 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and those helping out on the hillside should be prepared to work on a steep incline.
Volunteers are encouraged to arrive at 8 a.m. Cleanup of the hillside will continue until the job is finished, but most work is expected to be done prior to 1 p.m. Members of the Hilltoppers are planning a fourth cleanup session in April.
To register for the Oct. 19 cleanup or for more information call (269) 387-3456 or visit the Web at <www.wmich.edu/hilltoppers>.
Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 269 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu