My husband, Ben, and I have walked one mile of the Rouge River everyday, come rain, shine, sleet, or blizzard for 30 years! We do think of ourselves as river stewards and report many problems to the correct department. For five years, we watched a picnic bench that was thrown into the Rouge without being too concerned. It seemed that the river just continued to flow around it and no harm done.
Along about the fifth year, we noticed that the bank across the way was receding and the roots of the tree across from it were becoming exposed. I took a measurement of the footage of the eroded bank. I was shocked to see it must have been about 10 feet lost, coming very close to the trail that we all use for our walks. At this time, I belonged to the Dearborn Heights Watershed Stewards Commission. I discussed it at one meeting and asked for advice. Our chairperson at that time was Steve Ray, a dedicated environmentalist with no fear of a challenge.
So, Steve suggested that he and my husband take it out of the river by themselves. The D.H. Stewards own their own waders, so Steve brought the waders and rope and met us at the river. The bank was formidable…about 8 ft and with sides that went straight down to the water. The river was not shallow, but did not go over the waders.
Ben brought a ladder which the guys used to climb down the bank. We own a set of airplane straps which we attached to the car bumper. To that strap, we attached the heavy rope which we tied to the picnic bench. This is where I came in….I got in the car and slowly inched the car forward while the guys steadied the bench and guided it to the edge of the bank. Now, came the tricky part…the bench had to be guided up the ladder and onto dry ground. Somehow, with the guys’ care and expertise, we did get it up to the top. There, I dragged it near to the service road along the Hines.
The next morning I immediately called Wayne County Parks to pick it up, so that the boys wouldn’t throw it back in! And they did…which resulted in a happy ending:)
Sadly, right now, I am working to get two more benches that are resting in an easy place for a pick up. They will be moved along stream in the next flood. So far, no one has come to the rescue…and so it goes.
Barb Goryca, Co-chair, Dearborn Heights Watershed Stewards
Celebrating 25 Years 