Volunteers Gather For Boulder Flood Cleanup Effort
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) - Colorado is still recovering from last month's devastating flooding, and huge volunteer efforts are helping move things forward in many places.
On Saturday in Boulder about 150 volunteers got together to clear out flood debris at a popular park that has remained closed since the floods.
Eben G. Fine Park is on the west side of the city and close to the mouth of Boulder Canyon, and Boulder Creek flows right next to it.
In addition to the park being shut down, the Boulder Creek Trail has also been closed in the area.
Over the last five weekends more than 750 volunteers have donated more than 1,000 hours of their time in an attempt to get the park back open.
Tackling the last debris piles in the park was a big task for the volunteers on Saturday, but they were able to successfully clean things up enough for the park to be able to reopen.
Dean Birkenkamp told CBS4 that as devastating as the flood was, it also brought thousands of people together, including his own family.
"It's actually my wife's birthday today -- her 50th birthday -- and her wish was that we come out and the four of us the family do volunteer work," he said.
Volunteers on Saturday at the park removed 15 truckloads of debris.
"It's taken a lot of work," Birkenkamp said.
"I figured it would be a good way to get my family out here working as well and I could use my birthday as leverage," said his wife Susan Jones.
David Mashburn was also celebrating a birthday as he was volunteering -- his 46th.
"I wanted my kids to help the community, so I have to set a good example, right?" he said.
Jones said she hopes the effort for her family is "something that makes us stronger and enriches our lives."
Colorado Floods: How To Help
The recent floods are impacting families and communities throughout Colorado, so CBS4 has compiled a list of ways you can support the local communities impacted by the floods.
