Cleanup at Rising Sun Lake

On July 10, 2022, a cleanup was held at Rising Sun Lake, organized by Samantha Vo and Zachary Pressler. The purpose of the cleanup was to make a cleaner and safer environment for the creatures in the lake as well as the people who regularly visit it.

Seventeen volunteers participated in the cleanup, counting the organizers. Some came because of the flyers in the Bulletin and others were attracted by the sign up table at Rising Sun Lake on the day of the clean-up. Most of the volunteers cleaned along the paths surrounding the lake, while others used kayaks to get trash out of the water. In the end, 22 bags of trash were collected. The amount of trash weighed around 150 pounds, and consisted of cans, used cigarettes, plastic bags, glass bottles, and many other materials that people threw in or around the lake. Oddly a whole comforter was found abandoned in the woods that surround the lake.

The amount of trash that was found at Rising Sun Lake was unnerving to say the least. It seemed as if people would litter everywhere, and not even try to hide it. The paths that go around the lake are very nice and well made, but were covered in litter. Not only does this make people not want to walk on the paths and visit the beautiful lake, but it also affects the natural environment in and around the lake. If everyone would do their little part and pick up after themselves we can keep our lake’s beauty.

The organizers will be contacting Clean Communities and The Watershed Institute to look into making the Rising Sun Cleanup a regular part of the community’s annual cleanup efforts.
Special thanks to several organizations and individuals who assisted in the organizing of this event.…

• Anthony Morrell from Monmouth County Clean Communities for bringing the supplies needed for the cleanup as well as disposing of the trash afterwards.
• Peter Winkler from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for helping organize the permits needed for the clean up.The project advisors
• Mary Tulloss and Ellen Silverman supported the project and gave advice on who to contact.
• Maria Dellasala from the Borough Hall who helped us get connected to Monmouth County Clean Communities to secure the tools needed for the clean up.
• To all the Volunteers - thank you for dedicating your Sunday afternoon to help clean up Rising Sun Lake. You have made sure that others get to experience such a beautiful place.