Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway’s 17th annual River Sweep, a volunteer shoreline and roadside clean-up in honor of Earth Day, will take place in Havre de Grace, Conowingo, Perryville, Port Deposit and Garrett Island on Saturday, April 22.
Over the past 16 years, River Sweep volunteers have removed more than 95 tons of trash from area roads and waterways.
Online volunteer pre-registration takes place through Tuesday, April 18, at www.upperbaytrails.com or by emailing [email protected]. Volunteers may also register at one of the sites the day of River Sweep.
On April 22, volunteers are asked to check in at 8:30 a.m., with the clean-up from 9 a.m. to noon, rain or shine. Meeting locations are:
Harford County:
- Tydings Park, Havre de Grace: Commerce Street
Cecil County:
- Conowingo Creek (Boat Lunch), Conowingo: 2 Mt. Zoar Road (Mt. Zoar Road and the water)
- Octoraro Creek (Conowingo Community Park), Conowingo: 1720 Susquehanna River Road
- Marina Park, Port Deposit: 190 South Main Street
- Perryville Boat Launch and Garrett Island, Perryville: 501 Roundhouse Drive
- Perryville Community Park, Perryville: Marion Tapp Parkway
Those interested in volunteering on Garrett Island should bring their kayaks and canoes and meet at the Boat Launch in Perryville. Boaters are also welcome.
River Sweep participants will fan out to spend the morning removing trash and other debris from the Upper Bay region, including the Chesapeake Bay, Susquehanna River and tributaries that feed into the Susquehanna River.
River Sweep volunteers are encouraged to wear old clothes and to bring work gloves. Volunteers who sign up in advance will receive lunch.
Last year, volunteers, including individuals, families and youth groups, removed eight tons of trash..
Sponsors of the 2017 River Sweep include Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, Exelon Generation and Central Maryland Chapter of Delta Waterfowl.
Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway is a nonprofit organization based in Darlington whose mission is to stimulate local economic activity by developing a linkage between natural, historic and cultural resources. This linkage is a series of land and water recreational trails that weave the past into the future while promoting an understanding and appreciation for the character of the region. The trail system also has been designated a priority segment of both the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail and the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. For more information about Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway, visit www.upperbaytrails.com.
