Tracy Shick
Contributing Writer
(Tracy Shick/TCJ – Assisting with the cleanup were [from left] Rod Case, Denise Case, Melanie Farkas, Mark Francis, Renee Francis, Janine Novak, Ben Savoie, Emily Sinclair, and Donna Smith. Not pictured: Jared Bogdanov-Hanna and Marcie Nido.)
The Eaton County Parks and Recreation Department welcomed approximately one dozen volunteers from Bellevue and Charlotte Friday evening for a community clean-up at Bellevue’s Keehne Environmental Center.
The event was organized by Eaton County’s new Naturalist and Volunteer Coordinator, Ben Savoie, as part of an effort to revitalize the popular nature preserve. The project includes several improvements designed to make the park more accessible and enjoyable for visitors of all ages.
One of the newest additions is a wheelchair-accessible picnic pad that was recently installed near the park entrance. The project will be completed later this summer with the installation of a canopy over the picnic area, providing visitors with a shaded space to gather, enjoy lunch, or take a break while exploring the trails.
Volunteers spread throughout the park, collecting litter from the entrance, walking trails, and surrounding grounds. Savoie even suited up in chest waders to remove debris from the area around the fishing dock, helping improve both the appearance and health of the park.
Emily Sinclair, Recycling Center Operator, brought the department’s resource recovery trailer, allowing volunteers to sort the collected materials and recycle or properly dispose of items collected. The trailer helps ensure that reusable materials are diverted from landfills, making the clean-up as environmentally friendly as possible.
Despite the warm evening, the volunteers made quick work of the project, demonstrating how a small group of dedicated community members can make a difference in maintaining local parks.
The Keehne Environmental Center is a hidden gem within the Eaton County Parks system, offering wooded hiking trails, wetlands, native wildlife habitat, educational opportunities, and a peaceful fishing pond with an accessible dock. It serves as both a recreational destination and an outdoor classroom where visitors can experience Michigan’s natural environment firsthand.
Originally developed to preserve the area’s natural ecosystems while providing opportunities for environmental education, Keehne Environmental Center has become a destination for hikers, birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, school groups, and families seeking a quiet escape over the years.
The current revitalization project aims to enhance accessibility, improve visitor amenities, and ensure the park continues serving the community for years to come.
Eaton County Parks encourages residents to watch for future volunteer opportunities as work continues on the revitalization project.
