2021 Mini-Sweeps
The Ohio River Sweep has switched from its large annual event to Mini-Sweeps. These smaller events allow groups of 10 or fewer to still significantly impact waterways in their community. Mini-Sweep participants choose the date and location of their Mini-Sweep and the Ohio River Sweep provides support and supplies to hold a socially-distanced clean-up event. If you are interested in organizing a Mini-Sweep, contact MSD Mini-Sweep Coordinator Rhonda Crotzer at Rhonda.Crotzer@louisvillemsd.org.
Vacant land to beautify and support the environment
Seventh Street Community Garden
MSD is putting our vacant parcels of land to use to support the community and the environment. Some land that MSD owns must never be developed in the traditional sense due to the critical structures that serve our community far below the surface but can be used to beautify a neighborhood.
One such parcel of property in the Taylor-Berry area now serves as a community garden. Deep below the surface where more than 300 gardeners work the land is the largest sewer pipe in MSD’s vast system.
In partnership with Catholic Charities and Common Earth Gardens, Jefferson County Cooperative Extension manages the Seventh Street Community Garden. These six acres of urban farmland—rented by farmers—provide more than 230,400 pounds of produce to local gardeners annually, supporting the gardeners and their families.
This spring, volunteers planted more than 50 trees provided by Louisville Metro Parks and Community Forestry. The trees will not only beautify the site but add to the urban tree canopy. Careful planning ensures that roots will not go deep enough to interfere with any of the pipes.
Beechmont pollinator garden
Another MSD owned parcel of vacant land—where deep below the surface is a large sewer interceptor pipe—is now home to a pollinator garden in the Beechmont Neighborhood. In May, the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District, in partnership with the Beechmont Neighborhood Association, kicked off the installation of the garden bringing new life to the third-of-an-acre property. The two groups have agreed to maintain the property.
