Tired of viewing roadside litter? If so, the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) has just the opportunity for you: There are many roads still available as part of the Adopt-A-Road program.
“This is a great opportunity for the public to help clean up our environment and beautify Oakland County communities,” RCOC Chair Andrea LaLonde stated. “Over the years, groups and organizations have committed volunteer time to clean up our communities by clearing litter along roadsides. They are tremendous partners in this effort and greatly appreciated.”
Volunteer groups that adopt a road segment are asked to pick up litter along the road during two of the three available cleanup periods each year (spring, summer and fall). Cleanup dates for 2021 are: April 17-25, July 18-25 and Sept. 25-Oct. 3.
For the spring clean-up, RCOC wants volunteers to be safe and reminds all to wear a mask if they are unable to consistently maintain 6 feet or more of social distancing from individuals that are not members of the same household. This is necessary to help prevent the spread of COVID 19.
Any group interested in adopting a county road section should call the RCOC Permits Division at 248-858-4891 or send an email to: [email protected]. Interested organizations will receive training, orange safety vests and garbage bags. If requested, RCOC will also provide masks for volunteers.
Additionally, RCOC will erect Adopt-A-Road signs at both ends of the designated road sections recognizing the volunteer groups responsible for the sections. Road segments are approved by the RCOC Board of Road Commissioners.
Participating groups are reminded to call the RCOC Permits Division to arrange pick up of litter bags after the clean-up. Additionally, RCOC relies on groups to call and verify that contact information is current. Groups needing additional garbage bags or orange vests can also call the Permits Division.
Motorists can help augment the effort by slowing down when volunteers are seen picking up trash along a road and by joining RCOC in reminding others not to litter. Approximately 521 miles of RCOC roadways have been adopted by 314 groups and organizations.
