Local Heroes: Two Women Have Become Guardians Of This Bay Area Regional Park

FREMONT, CA — In the heart of Fremont, two remarkable women are quietly transforming the community, one piece of trash at a time.

Janet and Linda, regular visitors to the Alameda Creek Trail that partly runs along Quarry Lakes Regional Park, have taken it upon themselves to keep the trail pristine and wildlife-friendly.

Fremont resident Kavitha Bharadwaj sees these dedicated volunteers several times a week. They can be spotted wearing bright vests, armed with trash pickers and bags, meticulously cleaning up the park's trails.

"We love this place. We love all the wildlife here. We want to keep it well preserved," Bharadwaj told Patch.

Their mission? Preserving the natural beauty of the park and protecting its diverse wildlife, including blue herons, geese, deer and more.

"They're not even doing this for any sort of recognition or anything. They just do it because they want to [help] Fremont," Bharadwaj told Patch.

From discarded dog poop bags to snack wrappers, no piece of litter escapes their watchful eyes. Their selfless efforts not only maintain the park's cleanliness but also inspire other residents to take pride in their shared natural spaces.

Bharadwaj said these unsung heroes can be a reminder that community service doesn't require grand gestures — sometimes, it's as simple as picking up trash and caring deeply about the shared environment.

“I am so grateful for their love for nature and preservation of local wildlife,” Bharadwaj told Patch.