Healthy Yards for Clear Streams Starts March 2

Old Man Winter continues to remind us that we’re still a long way from the promise of Spring, warmer days, and the many outdoor activities that make living in Meramec Valley Region so enjoyable.

And seeing so many residents of all ages out on the hills and slopes at Ber Juan Park and Rolla Junior High School during the recent snow storm makes you realize just how much there is to do in Rolla even during a blizzard. I was particularly glad to see so many folks using the newly opened parking lot next to the east slopes at Ber Juan Park where 14th Street intersects with Farrar Drive. This parking lot, which is graded and conveniently located next to several sledding hills, remains open when weather conditions are conducive to sledding.

Looking ahead to next month, and hopefully a little warmer weather, I’d like to announce an upcoming Spring activity where the City of Rolla Public Works Department is partnering with the Phelps County Master Gardener/Master Naturalist and the Missouri University Extension to bring an environmental education program to the Rolla community.

The Healthy Yards for Clear Streams program is an effort to help landowners and businesses become more environmentally responsible with lawn and landscape practices. The goal is to promote lawn care practices that create beautiful lawns and gardens while reducing unnecessary use of pesticides and fertilizers that may run off and contaminate local streams.

The following workshops are free and will be held at the The Centre, Rolla’s Health and Recreation Complex (1200 North Holloway St., Rolla) from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Monday, March 2: Why Connect Yards & Healthy Lawn Care
Monday, March 9: Right Plant, Right Place & Using Native Plants and Rain Gardens
Monday, March 16: Soils & Integrated Pest Management and Effective Use of Garden Chemicals

The program is sponsored by MU Extension through the Master Gardener and Master Naturalist programs with support from the City of Rolla and partial funding from a Missouri Department of Natural Resources Mini Grant.

For more information or to register, please call Phelps County Extension at (573) 458-6260.

City-wide Spring Clean-up
set for April 4

Another upcoming spring activity you will want to put on your calendar is the annual city-wide “Spring Clean-up” scheduled for Saturday, April 4. If you wish to participate, please place all items near the curb by 6 a.m.

Examples of items that will be accepted include: furniture, microwaves, televisions, old clothes, and household trash. Items that will not be accepted include: appliances, water heaters, yard waste, tires, or construction debris such as sheet rock, shingles, concrete or rock. Loose items should be placed in boxes or bags and small pieces of lumber should be bundled.

We ask that you do not place your roll-out container to the curb, because during this special spring clean-up it will not be emptied. If you have any questions, please call the Environmental Services Department at (573) 364-6693.

In closing I’d like to remind everyone that Rolla City Hall will be closing on Monday, Feb. 16 in observance of President’s Day. The regularly scheduled City Council meeting that is held the 2nd Monday of the month will be held the day after President’s Day on Tuesday, Feb. 17. Please also remember that due to the holiday, Monday’s trash will be picked up on Tuesday and Tuesday’s trash will be picked up on Wednesday.

For more information regarding the holiday trash pick-up schedule, please call the Environmental Services Department (formerly the Solid Waste Department), at 364-6693.