Queens residents can volunteer to give their local parks and shorelines in College Point, Flushing, Astoria and Long Island City a spring cleaning as part of a statewide initiative.
On Saturday, May 5, cleanups will take place at waterfront parks and spaces across New York state as part of the 7th Annual Riverkeeper Sweep. During the day of service, thousands of volunteers will help clean up shorelines, plant trees and maintain wildlife at 100 locations throughout the state, according to the organization.
From 9 a.m. until noon, Powells Cove Park in College Point will be the site of a cleanup. Participants are asked to enter the park through the dirt path at 137th Street and 11th Avenue and meet fellow volunteers at the shoreline.
Due to prevalent marsh grass in the area, attendees are encouraged to wear high waterproof boots. Members of local nonprofit Coastal Preservation Network are also slated to volunteer at the event.
The Flushing Bay shoreline will see a cleanup of its own that day. From 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., community members are being asked to help volunteers from the Empire Dragon Boat Team and Guardians of Flushing Bay purge and refesh the waterfront area. Participants will meet prior to the start at the Worlds Fair Marina, where parking will be available.
In western Queens, volunteers from Cornell University Alumni Association and the NYC Cornellians will lead a cleanup at Astoria Park from 3 to 6 p.m. Those interested in participating should meet at the intersection of Shore Boulevard and Astoria Park South.
Finally, in Long Island City, volunteers will descend on the Newtown Creek shoreline from noon until 4 p.m. to cleanup the area and plant native species. Volunteers will meet at HarborLAB, located at 53-21 Vernon Boulevard, prior to the start.
All “Sweep” volunteers should wear sturdy shoes or boots and clothing that they don’t mind getting dirty. Bringing a hat, sunscreen, a reusable water bottle and snacks is also encouraged.
Elementary-aged children may participate in the Powells Cove and Flushing Bay cleanups with parental supervision; children are not recommended to participate in the Astoria and Long Island City cleanups.
Visit each official event page, linked above, to register.
Riverkeeper is a nonprofit organization that seeks to protect the Hudson River and its tributaries and advocate for clean drinking water in New York state.
