24th annual River Sweep seeks cleanup volunteers on Earth Day
In celebration of Earth Day, the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway’s 24th annual River Sweep will take place rain or shine April 20 in Havre de Grace, Conowingo, Perryville, Port Deposit, Charlestown and on Garrett Island.
Volunteers for the shoreline cleanup have collected more than 127 tons of trash and debris and have included individuals, families, youth groups, students, environmental clubs, green teams, Scouts, baseball teams, kayakers, boaters, fishing clubs, alumni organizations and area businesses.
In 2023, more than 240 volunteers removed over two tons of trash and debris, according to a news release. Notable items found and removed include shoes, clothing, metal buckets, tires, wooden pallets, plastic bottles, skateboard, tire inner tube, Styrofoam, beer cans, plastic toys, yard signs, garden fencing and a metal trash can.
“River Sweep serves as a catalyst for year-round environmental stewardship. As our collected debris totals show, even one day a year can make a significant, immediate impact on our environment,” Brigitte Carty, executive director of Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway, said in a news release. “Many of our site coordinators and volunteers have been with us for a decade or more, and we are truly grateful for all they do.”
River Sweep volunteers are encouraged to wear old clothes – long sleeves and pants are recommended – and to bring work gloves and their own water bottles.
Check-in at meeting locations begins at 8:30 a.m., and River Sweep will be held from 9 a.m. to noon. To sign up and volunteer, visit Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway’s website at https://www.upperbaytrails.com Volunteers who sign up in advance will receive lunch. Registration continues online through April 16.
Following is a listing of meeting locations:
Cecil County
Marina Park, 190 South Main Street, Port Deposit; Conowingo
Community Park at Octoraro Creek, 1720 Susquehanna River Road, Conowingo;
Conowingo Creek Boat Launch, 2 Mt. Zoar Road (Mt. Zoar Road and the water), Conowingo
Perryville Boat Launch/Garrett Island, 501 Roundhouse Drive, Perryville
Perryville Community Park, Marion Tapp Parkway, Perryville; Rodgers Tavern Museum, 259 Broad Street, Perryville
Foot Log Park, 241 Market Street, Charlestown and Playground, Cool Springs Road and Pagosa Street, Charlestown.
Harford County:
Tydings Park, park pavilion at Commerce Street, Havre de Grace;
Susquehanna State Park, Deer Creek trestle bridge parking lot, Stafford Road, Havre deGrace
Swan Harbor Farm, 401 Oakington Road, Havre de Grace.