2nd Litter Critter, 'The Big Bee,' To Be Unveiled In Downtown Riverhead

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RIVERHEAD, NY — It's time to "bee" serious about collecting trash in downtown Riverhead.

The North Fork Environmental Council announced recently that the Town of Riverhead’s Anti-Litter Committee had approved the installation of a second Litter Critter, "The Big Bee", a 4-foot by 7-foot wire sculpture, this one in downtown Riverhead.

"The committee was inspired by the success of the first Litter Critter, which is located at Iron Pier Beach in Riverhead, and we recognize that an additional Litter Critter downtown will have a substantial impact in reducing street trash and encouraging proper disposition of recyclables," said Riverhead Town Councilwoman Joann Waski.

The first Litter Critter, a 4-foot by 6-foot fish receptacle, first envisioned by the Riverhead Anti-Litter Committee, sits at Iron Pier Beach on the Long Island Sound, collecting bottles and cans from beach goers — keeping them off the beach and out of the Sound, town officials said.

"The Big Bee will help keep our streets cleaner in Riverhead," said Joanne Rizzo, chair of the Riverhead Anti-Litter Committee.

The newly approved Litter Critter will sit downtown at the intersection of Main St and Griffing Avenue, near the River & Roots Community Garden. Collection and subsequent recycling of the bottles and cans will be coordinated by the Riverhead Recreation Department.

"We continuously have volunteer requests for projects, and this is a perfect one. We will be keeping a calendar to schedule ongoing collections. We’re very excited to once again be a part of making Riverhead a more beautiful place," said Ashley Schandel, Riverhead parks and recreation director.

The critter is in the shape of a Big Bee, "supporting the pollinator garden and playground immediately adjacent, which has several plaques that educate children on bee trivia," the town said. "This Litter Critter’s purpose is to collect bottles and cans, keeping them off the street, out of our waterways, and out of the landfill. The Big Bee will host a QR bar code with a link to information on the importance of bees and the benefits of recycling."

Just like the fish critter at Iron Pier, The Big Bee critter was designed and built by creator Clayton Orehek of Riverhead.

"The combination of form and function make Litter Critters a win-win for communities, particularly ones near the water, as we fight to keep our beautiful waterways pristine," Orehek said. "The opportunity to tie into the preservation of bees at this location is icing on the cake."

The Big Bee critter will be funded by a grant from the North Fork Environmental Council. "We are proud and overjoyed to be able to raise money to support such a long-lasting and impactful object d'art that will be a beautiful addition to the community," and keep the town clean, said Lisa Gavales, board member of The North Fork Environmental Council.

The project was brought before the Town of Riverhead’s Anti-Litter Committee by a coalition of the North Fork Environmental Council, the Riverhead BID and Riverhead’s Department of Parks and Recreation.

The Downtown Litter Critter will be unveiled on July 8 at 10 a.m. at the Intersection of Main Street and Griffing Avenue. The community is invited.

Speakers will include Waski, Rizzo, Orehek, Schandel, and Gavales.