Volunteers Clear 200+ Pounds Of Trash Along Manorhaven Beach

NORTH HEMPSTEAD, NY — Forty volunteers came out for the Manhasset Bay Protection Committee's Summer Beach Cleanup 24 on Aug. 3 to tackle litter and other debris along Manorhaven Beach and Sheets Creek.

“I would like to give a huge thank you to all our amazing volunteers that showed up Saturday at Manorhaven Beach to help clean up the beach and creek. And another big thank you to our partner Kostal Paddle for helping us get our volunteers out on the bay on kayaks. This was, yet again, another incredible event,” said Sarah Deonarine, Executive Director of the Manhasset Bay Protection Committee.

Kostal Paddle, which operates out of Manorhaven Beach Town Park, offered free kayak and paddle board rentals to any volunteers collecting trash.

Volunteers, including families and members of M.T.O. Shahmaghsoudi, checked in, gathered supplies, and then set out either on foot or by boat.

The event was sponsored by the Manhasset Bay Protection Committee, Kostal Paddle, the Town of North Hempstead, and the Northeast Chapter of the American Littoral Society.

Also on hand were Assemblywoman Gina L. Sillitti, Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, Councilwoman Mariann Dalimonte, and Village of Manorhaven Mayor John Popeleski and Trustee Jeff Stone.

"I am so grateful to all the volunteers that dedicated their morning on a scorching hot summer day to beautifying our community. I love Manorhaven, and, as a former resident, it's wonderful to see so many of our neighbors care about this little village and take pride in our waterfront" Sillitti said.

Despite the heat and humidity, volunteers collected 200 (or more) pounds of trash.

The item picked up most by number were plastic bottle caps (249).

The heaviest item was a wooden dock plank with the cleat and swim ladder still attached!

"Unfortunately, a lot of plastic was picked up as other largely collected items were food wrappers, plastic pieces, and straws or stirrers," the organizers said.

Fifteen balloons were collected, something not seen at other locations and times. Balloons out in the marine environment can look like jellyfish, a favorite food of sea turtles. It is an important reminder to keep balloons secured or, best of all, skip them all together, the organizers said.

“The Manhasset Bay coastal cleanup is an important event that not only helps raise awareness about the issue of ocean pollution, but it also helps provide a great opportunity to roll up our sleeves and give back to the Earth. Thank you to the Manhasset Bay Protection Committee for their hard work in making the event a success and thank you to all of the volunteers who showed up for this important environmental initiative,” said Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena.

Town Council Member Mariann Dalimonte said, “I was thrilled to participate in the Manhasset Bay Protection Committee's beach clean-up in Port Washington. Witnessing the dedication of our community coming together to preserve the beauty of our coastline is inspiring. Let's continue working hand in hand to ensure a cleaner and more vibrant environment for generations to come.”

“I loved participating in the Manorhaven Beach and Sheets Creek Cleanup with likeminded eco-friendly volunteers and staff," said Manorhaven Trustee Jeff Stone. "A Big Thank You to the sponsors, Manhasset Bay Protection Committee, Kostal Paddle, the Town of North Hempstead, and the Northeast Chapter of the American Littoral Society, and especially to the volunteers. Your support in keeping our waterways and shoreline clean for the enjoyment of Manorhaven Beach and Manhasset Bay by the local community is greatly appreciated.”

The committee will host its next cleanup event this fall in connection with the International Coastal Clean-up event that happens every year on Sept. 21. The event will be at 9:30 a.m. that Saturday at Bay Walk Park in Port Washington.

“Educating the community is key to cleaning up our waterfront. Where storm water ends up is taken for granted but it begins by keeping all types of debris out of the catch basins. That means putting our trash in a trash can where it belongs and not on the ground,” said Village of Manorhaven Mayor John Popeleski.

If you would like more information about Manhasset Bay, please visit the Committee’s website at manhassetbay.net or e-mail the Director at [email protected].