SCARSDALE, N.Y. The Scarsdale-based Junior League of Central Westchester is joining the effort to clean up the Bronx River Reservation and is looking for help from the rest of the community to pitch in. Other groups, including dozens of Scouts in Bronxville and Eastchester, have also committed to the event.
Pitch In for Parks, to be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 15, is an annual county-wide volunteer event held to remove trash and other debris from each section of the reservation. According to a JLCW press release, Pitch In for Parks is the biggest volunteer event of the year in Westchester County.
"I am especially enthusiastic about this year's volunteer event," said Bronx River Parkway Reservation Conservancy Executive Director Jim Sutton. "The Central Westchester Junior League is playing a big part by helping to remove vines killing the trees just north of Harney Road, removing litter and making the area sparkle as befitting that wonderful section of the Bronx River Reservation."
According to Sutton, volunteer efforts, like last fall's River Rescue, are making a big difference, but some areas still need special care. Crestwood Lake in Yonkers "remains a challenge," he said. And there is one group ready to take on that challenge.
"Celeste Hughes has 60 scouts and adults for one part of Crestwood Lake and 25 others for another part. I know Anita Mann (JLCW) will have a good number so well over 200 should turn out this year at our site locations: Battle Hill in White Plains, Scarsdale, Leewood Drive, Crestwood, Bronxville Lake and Headquarters Field in Bronxville," he said. "Tom Andruss has a two scout troops and about 15 to 20 adults."
The reservation stretches 12.5 miles from the Bronx line to Kensico Dam, providing green space and a trail to bike and walk and enjoy the river, through the urban areas of Yonkers, Mount Vernon and White Plains as well as the villages of Bronxville, Tuckahoe, Crestwood, Eastchester, Scarsdale and Hartsdale.
Tools and trash bags will be provided, but volunteers should bring their own heavy-duty garden gloves and bottled water.
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