Baxter's Pond Foundation Spring Clean Up Event Draws Many

More than 50 adults, teens and children participated in the Baxter’s Pond Foundation (BPF) Spring Clean Up on March 5. On this sunny Sunday morning dozens of garbage bags of litter and assorted debris were collected. For the first time, BPF partnered with Residents Forwardand the Port Washington Water District on the event.

With the help of local families and members of the Schreiber High Key Club, the clean-up efforts stretched to include parts of Sunset Park, Mill Pond and Baxter’s Beach. All volunteers were supplied with garbage bags and refreshments were served. BPF’s trash grabbers were particularly popular with children.

“We were so pleased by the amazing turnout,” said Kim and John Keiserman, co-presidents of the Baxter’s Pond Foundation. “Working with Residents Forward and the PW Water District helped us bring more attention to the issue of reducing litter in the parkland surrounding Manhasset Bay.”

Patricia Class, executive director of Residents Forward, added: "Residents Forward was happy to co-sponsor this event as part of our Give A Litter Bit campaign to reduce a problem that affects us all. As a waterfront community, we must be aware that litter and debris on our streets and in our parks can run off into the Bay, tainting our water and harming our marine life."

Nora Haagenson, Mayor of the Village of Baxter Estates, attended the event. She commented: "I salute all - especially the young people - who volunteered to clean up Baxter's Pond and Preserve, the historic and beautiful centerpiece of the Baxter Estates and a gem valued by the entire community."

Baxter’s Pond Foundation is the nonprofit environmental steward of Baxter’s Pond and the surrounding Barbara Johnson Park & Preserve, which are owned by Nassau County.

The next scheduled Clean Up is Saturday, May 6 at 9 a.m. Visit baxterspond.org for more information on BPF’s events and environmental efforts or to donate. BPF can also be found on Facebook and Instagram.