Rochester Rowing Club Tackles Silver Lake in a New Way

Submitted by Barbara J. Huberty, from the City of Rochester, Public Works Department.
Friday, November 10, 2007

Members of the Rochester Rowing Club have agreed to take on another challenge. While sweat is still a key ingredient, this task will need grabbers instead of oars.

Beginning in November and continuing until the fences are removed, the Rochester Rowing Club will officially adopt the Silver Lake buffer project and collect litter from within the planting area. Bending and stooping will be added to the rowing workout to help make the lake cleaner and to improve the new plants’ chances for success. So don’t be surprised to see some young adults doing the limbo under the goose exclusion wire carrying sticks with claws. This competition will be about collecting the most garbage instead of the fastest time.

The shoreline planting project is being completed by the City of Rochester to reduce the load of fecal coliform bacteria entering the lake from goose waste. Concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and total dissolved solids entering the lake will also be reduced. Planting will be completed this fall, but maintenance will continue for three years until the native vegetation is well established.

Everyone is encouraged to do their part to keep the park and the new buffer area clean by throwing litter into the garbage cans located throughout the park.