Clean Up on Sunday (if weather allows)

At last week's clean-up, the majority of what I picked up consisted of cigarette butts, bottle caps, cough drop wrappers, and random pieces of paper. However, there were other more interesting (and disturbing) items available for the pickings. Those not saddled with two cherubs were able to scrounge around for empty and half-filled bottles of various styles and materials. Other items found include many, many tissues, half-eaten meals, opened metal cans, and a lot of unused chewing gum.

If you want a chance to participate in the clean-up/scavenger hunt this Sunday, show up at 9:30 for your rake and/or pick. If you have gloves, bring them. If not, there will be some available.

See the Let's Clean Up Sunset Park! website for more information.

A bonus to the clean-up is that people watchers like me can get an eye-ful. My favorite sightings on Sunday included:

1) My favorite jogger. She is incredibly fashionable as she jogs. Lots of color, huge sunglasses, and usually a smile for anyone who offers one first.

2) The "round-the-park-in-30-seconds" skateboarder. He zooms around the perimeter of the park over and over. I saw him pass at least five times while picking up dirt. He always looks like he's having so much fun.

3) A bicycle tour from Germany. As the first group went by I heard snippets of conversation, so when two stragglers went by I asked, "Seid Ihr aus Deutschland?" and we had a lovely conversation about where my parents are from and how they like their visit and what is amazing about living in Brooklyn versus Manhattan. The group spent quite a while admiring our view. Great day for a bike tour.

4) A lovely family cleaning up and weeding the Chinese Garden. I especially loved seeing them because they kept my son preoccupied with "weeding" while I went around and picked up more substantial trash with my daughter.

5) Police cars and carts going SLOWLY instead of racing by.

Upcoming Clean Up on Sunday

People like the young lady pictured above are why we need to counteract litter-bugs. Granted, she only dropped a coffee cup lid, but she did it in such a deliberate manner - and so close to a trash can. Today it's a coffee cup lid, next week it could be dumping a bag of household or construction garbage into the park at 3 AM.*

Luckily, Sunset Park has the perfect antidote to litterbugs masquerading as coffee drinking joggers: Every Sunday an active and enthusiastic group of residents cleans up litter around the park. Meet in front of the Rec Center at 9:30 AM this Sunday to join in. Check out their website for more details.



* Please note: this example of a "slippery slope" in littering is pure speculation and should not be taken as fact.

Let's Clean Sunset Park! has its Second Successful Clean-Up

The organizers were all smiles even as Noon drew near.

If you're interested in helping out with picking up litter around Sunset Park, check out the website for Let's Clean Sunset Park! The last two Sundays have had people meet at 9:30 AM in front of the Rec Center. Tools, gloves, and inspiration are provided.

Sunset Park Clean-Up on Sunday

On Sunday, with a focus on litter - not leaves - a group of volunteers who believe in a rubbish-free park will descend on Sunset Park to pick-up, rake, and help make the park that much cleaner for Sunday afternoon park-goers.

If you want to help out, even for part of the time, visit the Let's Clean Sunset Park! website to reply and to see more details. They will provide tools for those who commit to being there. If you are commitment-phobic, feel free to show up in front of the Rec Center at 9:30 AM on Sunday. I'm sure there will be something to do for everyone who is willing.