PRESS RELEASE

September 11, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Kerry Parker, Program Specialist

(510) 747-7959

2017 California Coastal Cleanup Day

The City of Alameda Public Works Department, in collaboration with the East Bay Regional Park District, is sponsoring Alameda Coastal Cleanup Day Saturday, September 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, at Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach. This annual event provides city residents and visitors the opportunity to improve the appearance of our coastline by removing trash, litter, and debris from the City’s beaches and shoreline. Volunteers will meet at the beach near Park Street and Shore Line Drive then work along the beach east and west of Park Street.

No training or experience is necessary but volunteers are asked to bring a refillable water bottle, reusable bucket or bag (for trash collection), heavy-duty gloves, wear sturdy closed-toe shoes, layered clothing, and a hat/sunscreen. Volunteers under the age of 18 who are accompanied by an adult are welcome. Water and light snacks will be provided.

To participate, volunteers can pre-register and/or become a beach captain for the event by going to EBParks.org and signing up for the Coastal Cleanup Day or by dialing (888) 327-2757 and choosing Option 2. Event registration will also occur the day of the event, with sign in tables located near Park Street and Shore Line Drive starting at 8:30 a.m. You can also register at https://www.coastal.ca.gov.

In addition to the main site at Crown Memorial Beach, several marinas/ clubs will host individual California Coastal Cleanup events beginning at 9:00 a.m. If you would like to join one of the marina clean-up events, please call the marina prior to the day of the event to reserve a spot.

California Coastal Cleanup Day has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the “largest garbage collection” event ever organized. Statewide, nearly 60,000 volunteers participated and removed nearly 711,000 pounds of trash and recycling from California shorelines and waterways in 2016. Coastal Cleanup day occurs annually on the 3^rd Saturday of September.

Last year, over 600 Alameda residents and volunteers joined together to clean up over 10 miles of City beaches and shoreline and removed over a ton of debris that otherwise would have harmed the marine ecosystem. Coastal Cleanup Day is a great way for families, students, service groups, residents and neighbors to join together, take care of the fragile marine environment, show community support for shared natural resources, and have fun.

For more information, please call the Public Works Department at 510-747-7900 or call the East Bay Regional Park District at 510-544-2515.

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