‘Salt River Heroes = Litter Zero’ Labor Day floating picnics

Floaters will be encouraged to participate in the “Salt River Heroes = Litter Zero” event by stashing and bagging their picnic trash in Tommy Tuber litter bags to help keep the Salt River clean and beautiful. The award­winning Take Pride in America event is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Monday, Sept. 1-3, and is co-sponsored by Tonto National Forest, Salt River Tubing and local radio stations. To date, 616 tons of trash have been stashed and bagged on holiday weekends, according to a press release.

Salt River Tubing is in northeast Mesa on Power Road, 15 miles north of U.S. Highway 60 or minutes from Loop 202 on north Power Road in Tonto National Forest. It is open Fri­days, Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 30.

Henri Breault, president of Salt River Tub­ing, commends the Salt River tubers who have pitched in to lend a hand in keeping the Salt River free of litter.

“It’s so easy to be a Salt River Hero – just take personal responsibility for your picnic trash while floating and stash it and bag it in the litter bags that are provided during tube rental,” he said in the release.

Mr. Breault advises non-swimmers, inex­perienced swimmers and children to wear a lifevest while tubing. Tubers should plan floating picnics to include plenty of water, sun block, protective footwear, and bever­ages in cans or plastic containers. Ice chests/ coolers will be inspected for glass containers before boarding shuttle buses and glass con­tainers will be confiscated.

Mr. Breault cautions floaters to be aware that drugs, alcohol and the Salt River do not mix and to have a great time by responsibly appointing a designated driver before their tubing adventure.

Take Pride in America is a national part­nership that aims to inspire a new generation of volunteers to put their love of country to work to improve our national parks, wildlife refuges, public lands, cultural and historic sites, playgrounds and other recreation ar­eas.

For information on Salt River Tubing, go to www.saltrivertubing.com or call 480-984-3305. Operating hours are 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. daily and the cost of tube rental is $15 per person/tube, which includes inner tube rent­al and shuttle bus service. Latest tube rental is 3 p.m. daily and tubers are encouraged to arrive early as tube availability and parking spaces decrease by noon. Glass containers are prohibited by law at the Lower Salt River and ice chests will be inspected. Children must be at least 8 years or older and four feet tall for tube rental and shuttle bus service.