Photos and text by Phil Mosier

Volunteers from Cross Keys High and Chamblee Charter High helped clean up segments ofthe north fork of Peachtree Creek on April 19.

The creek cleanup was organized by North Fork Connectors, an organization dedicated to creating a path for pedestrians and bicycles along the forested waterway.

The organization hopes eventually to connect neighborhoods and businesses in Brookhaven, Chamblee, and nearby areas to the Beltline in Buckhead. High school students from a group called  “CATS” Community Action Teens joined in.

“We are a service group which members come from Cross Keys High School, and Chamblee Charter High School find projects to volunteer their time to help make a better community” said Monica Izaguirre, a sophomore at Chamblee. DeKalb firefighters were on hand to make sure everyone was safe, and out of the water.

"CATS" member Francisco Escovar, a sophomore at Cross Keys picks up as firefighter Pete Erickson, a member of DeKalb Fire Station Number Two on Dresden in Brookhaven watches. DeKalb firefighters were on hand to make sure everyone was safe, and out of the water.
“CATS” member Francisco Escovar, a sophomore at Cross Keys High gathers litter as firefighter Pete Erickson, a member of DeKalb Fire Station Number Two on Dresden in Brookhaven, watches over the volunteers. DeKalb firefighters were on hand to make sure everyone was safe, and out of the water.
"CATS" member Francisco Escovar, a sophomore at Cross Keys picks up.
Escovar removes trash that had collected beneath a bridge.
Volunteer Riley O'Conner passes out equipment, give gloves, trash bags, and safety instructions.
Volunteers Riley O’Conner passes out equipment, give gloves, trash bags, and safety instructions.
"CATS" member Monica Izaguirre [long brown hair], sophomore at Chamblee Charter High School picks up trash.
“CATS” member Monica Izaguirre, a sophomore at Chamblee Charter High, bags trash during the April 19 stream cleanup on the north fork of Peachtree Creek.

Joe Earle is Editor-at-Large. He has more than 30-years of experience with daily newspapers, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and was Managing Editor of Reporter Newspapers.