Englewood, Sheridan and Littleton, the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District and the South Suburban Parks and Recreation Department in January hauled away 25 truckloads of trash and relocated at least 30 people who were living along a quarter-mile stretch of the South Platte River near West Dartmouth Avenue in Englewood.

Sgt. Reid McGrath, with the Englewood Police Department’s Impact Team, led the clean-up effort. McGrath told Denver7 there was a total of 21 camps along that specific stretch of the river. The clean up cost $39,122.30.

The coalition of agencies worked to remove the rubbish and revive the riverbank, but that was only scratching the surface.

“One of our biggest goals was to have some resources for people to have the ability to get help if they wanted it,” McGrath said.

Agencies provided outreach for the dozens who called the river home. It was an environment that wasn’t designed for habitation.

“While in some ways it seems like an ideal place, it’s not,” McGrath said. “There’s no water here. There’s no sanitation here. There’s no trash disposal here.”

“Stephen Materkowski with the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District said the encampments destroyed nearby plants and trees, which serve as a natural way to prevent floods.

However, more than sanitation, the agencies want the South Platte River to be a recreational jewel.

“That’ll be a real success when we can change this area into a desirable place for anybody and everybody to come to,” McGrath said.

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