Rivers Alive

Smyrna is located next to the Chattahoochee River, a vital water source for the metro Atlanta area, providing drinking water for over 5 million people and supporting local ecosystems and recreation. However, litter in our rivers and streams poses a serious threat to wildlife, water quality, and the overall ecosystem. When litter enters our waterways, it pollutes, harms wildlife, and often travels downstream, ultimately reaching our oceans.

That’s where Rivers Alive comes in—our largest water initiative dedicated to tackling this issue head-on. Each year, volunteers come together to clean up the tributaries that flow into the Chattahoochee River. Through this annual litter cleanup, we help prevent litter from polluting our waterways, protect wildlife, and preserve the natural beauty of our region.

Date & Location

  • Saturday, October 24, 2026
  • 9:00am to 12:00pm
  • Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Paces Mill Unit (3444 Cobb Pkwy, Atlanta, GA)

Volunteer

  • Volunteers and groups welcome! You must register to volunteer.
    • Groups spots are available for groups of 10 and under. We will reserve spots on a first-come, first-served basis until Friday, October 9, 2026, at which points all spots will be open to individual volunteers. Contact Eloise at eholland@smyrnaga.gov for group reservations.
    • Individuals can register online.
  • Ages 8+ Volunteers under 16 must volunteer alongside an adult.
  • All volunteers must sign additional waivers on site before volunteering.

Additional Information

  • While dogs are allowed at the park, we do not allow dogs at this event.
  • For more information about Rivers Alive, Georgia’s Annual Waterway Cleanup, visit https://riversalive.georgia.gov/.

Partners

© 2026 by Keep Smyrna Beautiful.