Volunteers Will Beautify Five Sound Shore Towns In A Single Day

SOUND SHORE, NY — The City of Rye, along with the villages of Mamaroneck, Port Chester, Rye Brook and the Town of Rye are issuing a call for volunteers to “help beautify our communities with new plantings at any of five locations.” The five-municipality cleanup project will take place on April 17 from 9 to 11 a.m. with a rain date scheduled for April 24.

Event organizers say the service day will not only be good for the towns, but could also be a good way to help volunteers break the spell of cabin fever just in time for Earth Day. A mailer seeking volunteers was sent to residents of the five Sound Shore communities.

“After a long winter, what better way to celebrate Earth Day than by participating in a fresh air activity that benefits the whole community?” the call to service asks. “The new plantings are good for the environment and will help beautify our communities.”

Volunteers will be able to choose which of the communities they wish to help beautify with new plants. The combined efforts of the five communities to add new plantings is expected to noticeably change the look of the region for the better.

In Rye Town, crews will work in Crawford Park. In Rye Brook, volunteers will meet at Village Hall. Port Chester and Mamaroneck workers will be putting in new plantings in and around their respective train stations. Efforts in the City of Rye will focus on Rye Town Park and Beach.

Because of coronavirus protections, masks will be required at all times. Volunteers are asked to bring their own gloves, pruners, trowels, shears, spades and other needed tools. The number of participants permitted at each location will be limited and participants will be asked to fill out a coronavirus questionnaire before getting started.

The day’s activities will be entirely outside in the elements. Volunteers are asked to wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. Participants are reminded not to forget sunscreen and insect repellent. Gatorade will be provided for workers, but everyone should bring their own water bottles.

Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

Volunteers wishing to help out in any of the five communities are asked to pre-register here before April 15.