By Kathy Chouteau
Get ready to don those sturdy shoes and grab your refillable water bottles, because the California Coastal Commission’s “38th Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day” is happening Sat., Sept. 17. Note that a few related events will take place on Sat., Sept. 24.
As its name suggests, Coastal Cleanup Day—which includes numerous events throughout the state—is all about volunteering to beautify California’s coasts, creeks and trails by removing trash/plastics. And since “trash from inland areas flows downstream to the coast,” per the commission, the organization encourages those unable to attend an event to pitch in around their own neighborhoods.
The Standard has compiled a roundup of West Contra Costa County cleanup events happening on Sat., Sept. 17 and Sat., Sept. 24:
Richmond
The Watershed Project will host a cleanup of Shimada Friendship Park Sat., Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The park is located on Marina Bay Parkway near the intersection of Peninsula Drive in Richmond. Register here.
The East Bay Regional Park District will spearhead a cleanup of Point Isabel Regional Shoreline, Sat., Sept. 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The dog park is located at the end of Rydin Road in Richmond. Register onsite or click here.
Urban Tilth will have a cleanup at the Dotson Family Marsh, part of Point Pinole Regional Shoreline, Sat., Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Dotson Family Marsh is located at the end of Goodrick Avenue in Richmond. Register by emailing Nathan Bickart at [email protected].
The East Bay Regional Park District will host a cleanup at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline Sat., Sept. 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Register onsite or click here. The meetup will be at the park’s entrance, 5551 Giant Hwy. in Richmond.
The Watershed Project will head up a cleanup at Wildcat Creek near Verde Elementary School, Sat., Sept. 24, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Register on Eventbrite. The creek is nearby 2000 Giaramita St. in Richmond.
El Sobrante
SPAWNERS and the El Sobrante/94803 Green Team will lead a cleanup at the El Sobrante Library Sat., Sept. 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration will take place at onsite at the library that morning. Tools, morning snacks, tea, coffee and water will be provided. Lunch will also be provided at the after-party at the library. The library is located at 4191 Appian Way in El Sobrante.
Pinole
The City of Pinole will host a cleanup at Bayfront Park in Pinole Sat., Sept. 17 from 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Register by emailing [email protected]. The park is located at 1 Tennent Ave. in Pinole.
Rodeo
Contra Costa County Resource Conservation District/Partners for the Rodeo Creek Watershed will have a cleanup of Rodeo Creek Sat., Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. To register, email Heidi Petty at [email protected]. The creek is located at 605 Parker Ave. in Rodeo.
For more info about California Coastal Cleanup Day click here; to view a map of related volunteer events, click here.
