Volunteers Clean 2,000+ Pieces Of Trash From Bay Walk Park

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — At the annual volunteer clean up at Bay Walk Park on May 18, about 50 volunteers cleared more than 2,000 pieces of trash from the sitting area, shoreline, and path.

Most of what was collected were items associated with food and drink: wrappers, glass and plastic drink bottles, bottle caps, and soda cans.

“It was a bit disheartening to see all the trash collected. But 50 people showed up and made a huge difference to Manhasset Bay, wildlife, and park goers. Thank you to all the volunteers,” said Manhasset Bay Protection Committee Director Sarah Deonarine.

Volunteer organizations that came out included: Manhasset High School National Honor Society students; multiple Girl Scout troops including Troops 633 and 4447 and a troop from Bayside, Queens; and Mineola High School Environmental Club members.

The event was sponsored by the Manhasset Bay Protection Committee, the Village of Port Washington North, the New York Chapter of the American Littoral Society, and the Town of North Hempstead.

“The Village of Port Washington North, as well as the entire Port Washington community, thanks the Manhasset Bay Protection Committee and its volunteers for organizing the cleanup of the shoreline of the Bay Walk Park," said Port Washington North Mayor Robert Weitzner, who went to the event. "Their efforts go a long way in keeping our precious Manhasset Bay clean and a delight to visit and enjoy.”

If you are interested in volunteering, the Manhasset Bay Protection Committee is planning two additional clean-ups in 2024: one for the summer at Manorhaven Beach and the other on September 21st back at Bay Walk Park.

You can visit the Committee’s website and sign up to be kept informed of upcoming events.

“It’s not just the physical cleanup that’s so remarkable,” said North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena. “It’s that you see neighbors uniting to protect and preserve their town’s beauty, and that’s what makes North Hempstead so special.”

Council Member Mariann Dalimonte elaborated, “The commitment these young people showed at this cleanup is really indicative of a much larger trend. They’re willing to take ownership of the environment and that gives me great hope for our future.”

The top three most collected articles on the 18th were tiny trash (less than 2.5cm in size), cigarette butts, and food wrappers. Among the more interesting finds were an anchor with rope and a half-full bottle of dish soap. Filmy plastic scraps, which were likely once plastic bags, were also a large portion of that collected.

“Trash robs us of the natural beauty our Bay affords us here in our town," said State Senator Jack Martins. "If you love where you live and you want to preserve that beauty, then I encourage you to support the efforts of the Manhasset Bay Protection Committee.”

The Manhasset Bay Protection Committee is an inter-municipal organization aimed at addressing water quality and coastal issues in Manhasset Bay with a coordinated, watershed-level approach. The Committee has 15 member municipalities: Nassau County, the Town of North Hempstead, and 13 Villages who all voluntarily entered into an inter-municipal agreement.

The Committee’s goals are to protect, restore, and enhance Manhasset Bay so as to ensure a healthy and diverse marine ecosystem while balancing and maintaining recreational and commercial uses. Tasks that help toward these goals include the annual volunteer beach clean-up.

“I want to thank the Manhasset Bay Protection Committee for organizing another successful beach clean-up at Bay Walk Park in Port Washington," State Assembly Member Gina Sillitti said. "These events go a long way towards improving both our environment and keeping the bay the jewel of our community.”