Record-Setting Effort: Volunteers Remove 1,500 Pounds Of Debris Near Silver Lake Park

CROTON-ON-HUDSON, NY — Volunteers had nothing but bags of trash to show for their record-setting efforts — and they couldn't have been happier.

Close to 20 volunteers gathered near Silver Lake Park in Croton-on-Hudson on June 6, for a monthly cleanup hosted by the Croton Litter-Free Education Advocacy Neighborhood initiative. The event focused on a decades-old dumpsite and produced an estimated 1,500 pounds of recovered debris and litter from sensitive environmental areas surrounding the park and the Croton River.

According to the village, volunteers removed car batteries, auto parts, a broken toilet and countless glass items from the area. The cleanup highlighted the threat that illegal dumping and roadside litter pose to local waterways and native wildlife. The effort also marked a milestone for the grassroots initiative, which the village said has steadily increased its impact since it was founded by former CAC member Anthony Magardino in 2021.

"Silver Lake is a treasure that demands our protection. CLEAN's record haul symbolizes our village's grassroots commitment to environmental protection," Mayor Brian Pugh said. "This culture of care is reflected in our village's long-standing Tree City USA designation and our status as New York’s No.1 Clean Energy Community. Thank you to the CAC, CLEAN, and every volunteer who helped turn our shared values into action."

The village said the Saturday volunteer group included repeat volunteers, Croton-Harmon High School students and concerned neighbors. CLEAN is a volunteer subcommittee of the Croton-on-Hudson Conservation Advisory Council and organizes monthly volunteer efforts from March through November. The program supplies residents with high-visibility vests and disposal bags to address litter hotspots.

"We all love Silver Lake, and it’s our responsibility to take good care of it," Conservation Advisory Council Chair Eva Thaddeus said. "The Croton River is one of the treasures of our area, and I want to thank the volunteers who worked so hard to remove so much junk from the precious river ecosystem. The sheer volume reminds us how easily trash can end up in a waterway."

Former CAC Chair and CLEAN founding member John Ealer said the initiative was created to build a lasting structure for community stewardship supported by education.

"When CLEAN was launched, the goal was to build a reliable infrastructure for community stewardship and back it up with consistent education, so clean-ups are no longer necessary," Ealer said. "To see the initiative hit 1,500 pounds shows just how deeply our residents care about keeping Croton pristine. It’s inspiring to see this momentum grow month after month, but clearly there’s a lot left to do."

Community members interested in volunteering, tracking progress or suggesting future cleanup locations can visit the village's CLEAN program page. The Conservation Advisory Council also hosts the Trails Crew and Garden Club subcommittees.