Clark To Host Annual Earth Day Rahway River Cleanup

CLARK, NJ — Clark Recreation will host its annual Earth Day Rahway River Cleanup on Saturday, April 24, with a rain date of April 25.

Volunteers will join Boy Scout Troop 330 and members of the Rahway River Watershed Association in a clean-up of the Rahway River to celebrate Earth Day 2021.

It will be a little different than in the past with social distancing, masks and a minimalist approach for the registration area.

The clean-up will focus on areas upstream and downstream of the dam at Winfield Park. Volunteers should stop by the parking area adjacent to the waterfall of the Rahway River by the dam at Winfield Park at 8:45 a.m. to register, pick up bags, gloves, bottled water and snacks, and receive safety information.

Volunteers can travel to any part of the river where they would like to perform cleanup activities but are specifically asked to work in small groups for safety purposes with folks socially distanced and wearing masks.

The team working registration will provide suggestions on areas with large volumes of floatable debris.

"Cleaning up a river and park area is a great way to celebrate Earth Day and if you haven't participated in an event like this before, you will find it invigorating, and you will feel good about what you have accomplished...it is also fun and educational...especially for scouts and young adults as they always find something interesting," said Ralph Bernardo, Director of Clark Recreation.

The clean-up will generally be between 9 a.m. to noon, but volunteers can choose any amount of time or effort they want to participate in.

All participants should wear jeans, long-sleeved shirts, gloves and boots, and a mask. Waders are welcome for folks who like to get a little wet.

There is no RSVP required but for more information email rivercleanup@comcast.net.

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