Swift Creek Week is a unique opportunity for citizens to learn about watersheds and where drinking water originates, all while having fun and protecting natural resources. The City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department, Sound Rivers, River Guardian Foundation, and Wake Soil & Water Conservation District will sponsor Swift Creek Week 2018; in conjunction with several environmental organizations across Wake County.

The Swift Creek Watershed is a supplemental drinking water source for the residents of Raleigh and the communities of Garner, Knightdale, Roseville, Wake Forest, Wendell, and Zebulon. The Swift Creek Watershed impacts many people, whether they live within the watershed or drink the water from it, therefore raising awareness about the care and condition of it is the ultimate objective of Swift Creek Week.

Dates: Saturday, March 17 through Saturday, March 24, 2018

Events

Saturday, March 17, 2018

Apex Community Park Litter Cleanup

Saturday, March 17, 2018 @ 9:00AM to 12:00PM

Location: 2200 Laura Duncan Road (Main Park Entrance), Apex, NC 27523

Help protect our natural resources by participating in a litter cleanup at Apex Community Park. Reducing litter in the park helps keep local waterways clean and the drinking watershed healthy.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Directions: Enter the park through the Laura Duncan Road entrance. Follow Chardstone Court until the final parking lot past the tennis courts. This is a circular parking lot. The volunteer group will meet at the south end of the parking lot.

Organized by: Town of Apex; Wake County Big Sweep; 86it

Contact James Misciagno with questions at james.misciagno@apexnc.org

Unused and Expired Medicine Drop-Off Event

Saturday, March 17, 2018, Time @ 10:00AM-2:00PM

Location: Walnut Street Park, 1420 Walnut Street, Cary, NC 2751

Safely dispose of your unneeded or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications. Help keep medicines out of our waterways and the wrong hands.

Organized by: Town of Cary Police Department; City of Raleigh Police Department; Town of Cary, Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources

Contact Detective Whitney Hall with questions at whitney.hall@townofcary.org

Frogs and Salamanders

Saturday, March 17, 2018 @ 10:00AM to 12:00PM

Location: Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve

Age: 18+

Cost: $14 Cary resident, $18 non-resident

Discover the world of winter breeding amphibians now laying eggs in the temporary pools adjacent to Swift Creek in this hands-on adventure. Net included with workshop fee!

Organized by Town of Cary

Call (919) 387-5980 for information or to register. Pre-registration required. Spaces limited.

Sunday, March 18, 2018

Get Geeked for Creek Week

Sunday, March 18, 2018 @ 1:00PM to 4:00PM

Location: Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh, NC 27603

Stop by and learn about your drinking water and watersheds, or volunteer to create a container for excess fishing line! Stop by any of our tables to learn more!

Where does your drinking water come from? A representative from the City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department will discuss your drinking water and how it is protected!

What is a watershed anyway? A representative from Wake County Soil and Water Conservation District will explain what watersheds are, and how to keep them healthy! Check out the EnviroScape model—an interactive model of a watershed that shows how our waterways become polluted.

Wake County park staff will also set out hydrology maps and aerial photographs for your review of the Yates Mill Pond sub-watershed and the larger Swift Creek watershed area.

Where does all that old fishing line go? The president of the River Guardian Foundation will guide you through constructing a container that will be used to collect used fishing line! This fun activity can be done by anyone, and will help keep fishing line out of our waterways!

There will also be tables about water quality and environmental protection with representatives from North Carolina Division of Water Resources and the Center for Human-Earth Restoration, and you can make a colorful Earth bracelet to take home.

No advanced signup is required!

Contact Rebeccah Cope with questions at rcope@wakegov.com

Monday, March 19, 2018

Canines for Clean Water

Monday, March 19, 2018 @ 5:00PM to 7:00PM

Location: Lake Benson Park, 921 Buffaloe Road, Garner, NC 27529

Did you know that pet waste contains bacteria and parasites that can pollute our waterways? Also, pet waste contains high levels of nutrients; when these nutrients enter our streams and lakes they contribute to harmful algae growth and invasive aquatic weeds. This harms the freshwater organisms, and produces toxins dangerous to humans and animals.

Stop by Lake Benson Park and have your four-legged friend sign a pledge promising that it will pick up its waste! In exchange for signing the pledge, your dog will receive a free Canines for Clean Water bandana! We will be set up by the dog park in Lake Benson Park.

No advanced signup is required!

Organized by: City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department; Town of Garner Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources; Wake Soil & Water Conservation District

Contact Liz Barbulescu with questions at Elizabeth.Barbulescu@raleighnc.gov

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Getting Little Feet Wet

Tuesday, March 20, 2018 @ 10:00AM to 11:00AM

Location: White Deer Park, 2400 Aversboro Road, Garner, NC 27529

For: Parents and their child(ren) 5 and under

Do you enjoy learning with your little one? Wake County’s Swift Creek Week activities continue Tuesday, March 20 at White Deer Park in Garner to include the youngest of our learners. Bring your little one to experience the wonders of our water resources. We will learn about where we find water on our planet and in ourselves! Enjoy one hour of activities to teach young children how we use water every day and why our water resources are important to maintain. Topics may include: weather, Earth, animals, and human bodies. We look forward to seeing you! Workshop will be led by Lauren Daniel, Environmental Education Outreach Specialist with the Division of Water Resources.

Note: Children must be accompanied by parent

To register, Click here!

Organized by North Carolina Division of Water Resources and Town of Garner Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources

Contact Lauren Daniel with questions at Lauren.Daniel@ncdenr.gov

Lakeside Yoga Gentle Flow at Lake Wheeler Park

Tuesday, March 20, 2018 @ 12:00PM to 1:00PM

Location: Lake Wheeler Park, 6404 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh, NC 27603. Class is held on the deck overlooking the lake. Once at Lake Wheeler Park, follow Stoney Road for approximately one mile to the parking lot, then walk to meet us on the deck!

Spring into wellness by taking a gentle flow yoga class at Lake Wheeler Park! This water-inspired flow class will be held on the deck overlooking Lake Wheeler. All levels welcome. The class will be held rain or shine – in the event of rain the class will be held in the conference room adjacent to the deck overlooking Lake Wheeler.

Please bring your yoga mat and water, and plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early to allow time to set up your mat and to complete participation waivers.

Registration required! Register here!

Organized by City of Raleigh Wellness Area; City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department; City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources

Contact Jackie Brown with questions at jacqueline.brown@raleighnc.gov

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER

Tour of Dempsey E. Benton Water Treatment Plant

Wednesday, March 21, 2018 @ 12:00PM to 2:00PM

Location: Dempsey E Benton Water Treatment Plant, 2301 Benson Road, Garner, NC 27529

Join the City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department for a tour of the Dempsey E. Benton Water Treatment Plant! This water treatment plant treats water from Lake Benson, which is operated in series with Lake Wheeler, and supplies drinking water for the City of Raleigh, Town of Rolesville, Town of Garner, Town of Knightdale, Town of Wake Forest, Town of Wendell, and Town of Zebulon. Come out and learn how your water is treated! “Our mascot, Johnny the Running Toilet, will be there to greet you!”

Sign Up Here!

Additional Information:

• Open to all aged 10 years and above

Day of the Tour:

• All participants over 18 years of age must bring a valid Passport, Driver’s License or State/County issued ID card the day of the tour.
• Bring completed Release of Liability Forms from all Attendees [required].

Safety:

• No sandals, flip-flops, and backless, open, open-toe or heeled shoes. Everyone must wear sturdy, close-toe shoes and socks.
• No shorts or short skirts. You must wear long pants or ankle-length skirts. We recommend not wearing pants/slacks that drag on the ground.
• Read the Tour Guidelines for more information

Organized by the City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department

Contact Liz Barbulescu with questions at Elizabeth.Barbulescu@raleighnc.gov

Lakeside Yoga Gentle Flow at Lake Wheeler Park

Wednesday, March 21, 2018 @ 6:00PM to 7:00PM

Location: Lake Wheeler Park, 6404 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh, NC 27603. Class is held on the deck overlooking the lake. Once at Lake Wheeler Park, follow Stoney Road for approximately one mile to the parking lot, then walk to meet us on the deck!

Spring into wellness by taking a gentle flow yoga class at Lake Wheeler Park! This water-inspired flow class will be held on the deck overlooking Lake Wheeler. All levels welcome. The class will be held rain or shine – in the event of rain the class will be held in the conference room adjacent to the deck overlooking Lake Wheeler.

Please bring your yoga mat and water, and plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early to allow time to set up your mat and to complete participation waivers.

Registration required! Register here!”

Organized by City of Raleigh Wellness Area; City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department; City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources

Contact Jackie Brown with questions at jacqueline.brown@raleighnc.gov

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Lakeside Yoga Gentle Flow at Lake Wheeler Park

Thursday, March 22, 2018 @ 12:00PM to 1:00PM

Location: Lake Wheeler Park, 6404 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh, NC 27603. Class is held on the deck overlooking the lake. Once at Lake Wheeler Park, follow Stoney Road for approximately one mile to the parking lot, then walk to meet us on the deck! 

Spring into wellness by taking a gentle flow yoga class at Lake Wheeler Park! This water-inspired flow class will be held on the deck overlooking Lake Wheeler. All levels welcome. The class will be held rain or shine – in the event of rain the class will be held in the conference room adjacent to the deck overlooking Lake Wheeler.

Please bring your yoga mat and water, and plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early to allow time to set up your mat and to complete participation waivers.

Registration required! Register here!”

Organized by City of Raleigh Wellness Area; City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department; City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources

Contact Jackie Brown with questions at jacqueline.brown@raleighnc.gov

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Creek Week Finale Events at Lake Wheeler Park

Spend a day at Lake Wheeler Park and choose your own Swift Creek Week adventure!

Lakeside Yoga Gentle Flow at Lake Wheeler Park

Saturday, March 24, 2018 @ 7:30AM to 8:30AM

Location: Lake Wheeler Park, 6404 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh, NC 27603. Class is held on the deck overlooking the lake. Once at Lake Wheeler Park, follow Stoney Road for approximately one mile to the parking lot, then walk to meet us on the deck!

Spring into wellness by taking a gentle flow yoga class at Lake Wheeler Park! This water-inspired flow class will be held on the deck overlooking Lake Wheeler. All levels welcome. The class will be held rain or shine – in the event of rain the class will be held in the conference room adjacent to the deck overlooking Lake Wheeler.

Please bring your yoga mat and water, and plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early to allow time to set up your mat and to complete participation waivers.

Registration required! Register here!”

Organized by City of Raleigh Wellness Area; City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department; City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources

Contact Jackie Brown with questions at jacqueline.brown@raleighnc.gov

Lake Wheeler Park Litter Cleanup

Saturday, March 24, 2018 @ 9:00AM to 11:00AM

Location: Lake Wheeler Park, 6404 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh, NC 27603

Help Wake County’s Big Sweep and City of Raleigh Stormwater Management Division remove litter from Lake Wheeler Park! Reducing litter along the shoreline and park grounds keeps the local waterways clean and the drinking watershed healthy. Check in at 9:00 a.m. at the Waterfront Program Center. Gloves, trash bags, data cards, and light refreshments will be provided. Please wear appropriate clothing for the cleanup (no open-toed shoes). Volunteers under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

No advanced signup is required!

Organized by Wake County Big Sweep; City of Raleigh Stormwater Management Division; City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department; City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources

Questions? Please call the Lake Wheeler Park office at 919-662-5704.

Flusher Truck at Lake Wheeler Park

Saturday, March 24, 2018 @ 10:00AM to 11:00AM

Location: Lake Wheeler Park, 6404 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh, NC 27603

Check out the City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department’s flusher trucks at 10AM! Did you know that the City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department has over 2,400 miles of sewer lines to maintain? See how these trucks clear blockages caused by fats, oils, grease, and wipes. Learn how you can help keep the sewers clean! The mascots Sir Water Raleigh and Johnny the Running Toilet will be there too!

Organized by the City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department

Contact Dustin Tripp with questions at Dustin.Tripp@raleighnc.gov

Environmental Booths at Lake Wheeler Park

Saturday, March 24, 2018 @ 9:00AM to 11:00AM

Location: Lake Wheeler Park, 6404 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh, NC 27603

Find out how the City of Raleigh’s Stormwater Management Division, Solid Waste Department, and Public Utilities Department protect the environment and water supply!

Contact Liz Barbulescu with questions at Elizabeth.Barbulescu@raleighnc.gov

Events Outside of the Swift Creek Watershed

City of Raleigh Environmental Awards

Thursday, March 22, 2018 @ 6-8:30 PM

Location: 214 Martin Street, Raleigh, NC 27601

Please join the City of Raleigh for the 11th Annual Environmental Awards, recognizing the individuals and organizations that are good stewards of our environment. This celebration is free and open to the public, and doesn’t require prior registration. Doors open to the public at 6 p.m., and the awards program begins at 6:30 p.m.

Following the awards program, there will be a quick ‘Lightning Round’ where guests will hear short 30-second pitches about several environmental stewardship projects going on around the city. A reception will follow, so guests may meet award winners and learn more about the City’s projects.

Details at https://www.raleighnc.gov/environment/content/AdminServSustain/Articles/EnvironmentalAwards.html .

Organized by City of Raleigh’s Office of Sustainability and City of Oaks Foundation.

For Swift Creek Week questions, contact:

Liz Barbulescu, City of Raleigh, Public Utilities Department:

Elizabeth.Weisbrot@raleighnc.gov

Desk 919-996-3468

Cell 919-280-5296