While it’s no secret that Bushwick has a trash and rat problem, there are quite a few people doing their part to rid our streets of the litter and broken glass that clogs up our storm drains and makes walks to the subway treacherous.
One such Bushwick resident, Sarah Back, is hosting her fifth cleanup event this Sunday July 16. This time, Back and volunteers will focus their efforts on cleaning one of the few green spaces in the neighborhood: Maria Hernandez Park.
The idea for the cleanups came to Back as she walked her dog on blocks where trash and broken glass took over the sidewalk. “I decided to take matters into my own hands and make a dent in it and hopefully raise awareness,” she told Bushwick Daily.
Seeing people with garbage bags actively removing the litter we see every day can and does encourage people into action. Back says that during the first cleanup event, children saw them and joined in. “The reaction of neighbors seeing us has always been so strong and appreciative,” Back added.
This Sunday, meet at Pearl’s Social & Billy Club at 11:45 a.m. and walk over to the park for a few hours of cleaning. Afterward, Pearl’s and Archie’s Pizza—the event’s sponsors—will reward you for your hard work with free food and drinks. Sounds like a win-win to us!