Hillsborough River & Coastal Cleanup Sites Close To Home

Want to clean up Tampa Bay? Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful is gearing up for the 26th Annual Hillsborough River & Coastal Cleanup followed by the Rollin’ on the River Rally on Sept. 21.

Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful is recruiting volunteers, sponsors and partners to assist with removing litter and debris that consequently ends up in local waterways, according to a report prepared by Patricia A. DePlasco, community education liaison for Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful.

As part of the Hillsborough River & Coastal Cleanup, data is collected from the event including the number and type of littered items, the overall tonnage removed and the amount of recyclable material diverted from each site. This information is used to determine future needs and projects in the area and create an awareness of these needs within the community. As part of the International Coastal Cleanup, data is shared with the Keep America Beautiful, Ocean Conservancy, as well as local officials to help provide a local and global perspective.

After the cleanup, volunteers are invited to attend the Rollin’ on the River Rally, at Lowry Park.  The celebration includes a free picnic lunch sponsored by HMSHost, live music, environmental education booths & exhibits, the River Rat Team Challenge and the Recycle Regatta.

For more information on how to get involved with this community improvement event, contact: Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful at (813) 221-8733, or email dpacker@keeptbb.org.

According to the Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful website, the following local areas are included in the list of more than 40 cleanup sites:

• Alafia River State Park, 14326 South County Road 39, Lithia
• Causeway Boulevard, 3409 Causeway Blvd., Tampa
• Dover Park, 2920 Gallagher Road, Dover
• Ed Medard Park, 5726 Panther Loop, Plant City
• Heather Lakes, Winding Wood Avenue near Providence Road, Brandon
• Hillsborough River State Park, 15402 North U.S. Highway 301, Thonotosassa
• J.C. Hanley Park, 3104 South Kings Ave., Brandon
• Reese's Fish Camp, 11502 Tonotosassa Road, Thonotosassa
• Veterans Memorial Park, 3602 North U.S. Highway 301, Tampa

Also wanted: high school, college and corporate teams, for the Recycle Regatta, at noon on Sept. 21.

Visit Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful for more details, and the maximum number of volunteers needed for each cleanup site.