Monroe Lake Appreciation Week scheduled for Oct. 16-22

Bloomington- Monroe Lake would like to invite Hoosier outdoor enthusiasts to Monroe Lake Appreciation Week, Oct. 16 to 22, to participate in organized trash cleanups and other activities that promote a clean and healthy reservoir.

Events throughout the week are organized alongside the Hoosier National Forest, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Friends of Lake Monroe, Lake Monroe Water Fund, City of Bloomington Utilities, and the Monroe County Highway Department.

Complete details for every activity during Monroe Lake Appreciation Week are at bit.ly/monroe-appreciate-2023.

There will be six trash cleanup events and volunteers are needed at all of them:

Each cleanup a volunteer participates in earns them an entry into a thank-you prize drawing.

On Saturday, Oct. 21, there will be free tours of the Monroe Water Treatment Plant, which turns water from the reservoir into drinking water that is distributed throughout Bloomington. Tours are limited to 12 people. Details and registration can be found at bit.ly/2023-cleanup-tour1 for the noon tour and bit.ly/2023-cleanup-tour2 for the 2 p.m. tour.

Interpretive staff at Paynetown State Recreation Area will also offer three drop-by activities with a clean water theme for visitors on Oct. 21: “How Long Will It Last” from 10 to 11:30 a.m., “Trash to Treasure: Bottle Ornaments” from 2:30 to 4 p.m., and “The Incredible Journey” from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Throughout the week, visitors can also participate in a 5-gallon Bucket Challenge. Pick up enough trash around the lake to fill a 5-gallon bucket and you will be entered into a drawing for one of two boat bags for use while boating or camping. Details on the challenge are at bit.ly/bucket2023.

Entrance fees will be waived for registered volunteers participating in an organized cleanup event with a set start time. Otherwise, the Daily Entrance Fee at Paynetown and Fairfax SRAs is $7 per vehicle with Indiana license plate or $9 per vehicle with out-of-state plates. Indiana State Park Annual Entrance Permits are also accepted.

Questions should be directed to the Paynetown Activity Center at 812-837-9967 or email Jill Vance at [email protected].