BRIDGEWATER - Town-wide riverfront enhancement proponents hope more people will sign up to help clean up the future site of a water garden.

 The public is invited to bring plant-cutting devices, shovels and other tools to assist in grooming and tidying up a section of land between the sidewalk and the river on the east side of the LaHave River.

 The cleanup begins at 2 p.m., July 23, as a spinoff of the town's Growing Green sustainability festivities which are taking place earlier in the day on the opposite side of the river.

 "We want to make the area accessible and we want to make the river accessible," Bev Brown, a member of the Bridgewater Development Association's riverfront renaissance action team, told a meeting of town council.

 She urged people to get involved in projects like the cleanup, and to be proud of where they live.

 "You know, there's an old adage that it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it takes residents to make a community," Ms Brown said.

 The aquatic garden project is aimed at a roughly one-hectare property just south of the cinemas. It's believed the establishment of native plants, grasses and shrubs will help prevent erosion, while installing a wood-chip trail, log benches and picnic tables will make it a park-like destination.

 Meanwhile the Growing Green Festival, a celebration of healthy living and self-sufficiency, runs between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on a closed section of King Street between Empire Street and Dominion Street on July 23. The theme is "take action to make a difference." To learn more about the sustainability festival check out http://www.growinggreenfest.com on the internet.

posted on 07/19/11