Newburgh Rowing Club to Host Riversweep 2018

NEWBURGH – On Saturday May 5th, from 8 am to 12 pm, the Newburgh Rowing Club will host Riversweep 2018, at the Ward Brothers Memorial Park, 2 River Street, on the Hudson River in the city of Newburgh, according to Coach Ed Kennedy, president of the Newburgh Rowing club.

“RiverSweep is an annual event, organized by Riverkeeper, with volunteers at over 100 clean up sites throughout the state of New York cleaning up the Hudson River and it’s tributaries,” said Juliana LoBiondo, Director of America Rows and Swims Newburgh and a 2018 RiverSweepLeader.

“This will be our seventh year participating in Riversweep,” said LoBiondo. “Last year, we had 32 volunteers come down to the Ward Brothers Memorial Park, home of the Newburgh Rowing club, where we collected more than 2 tons of trash from the Hudson River and the adjacent walking trail, for Riversweep 2017.”

The volunteers also planted 32 trees which rowers had grown from saplings, and converted wood debris into mulch, which the Newburgh Rowing Club used at Ward Brothers Memorial park and community garden, according to LoBiondo.

“We hope to have even more volunteers this year, and to top last year‘s trash cleanup,” said LoBiondo. “The Hudson River is the most precious natural resource in Newburgh, this event should bring the whole community together.”

“We will also be having a potluck picnic and we welcome the community to bring a dish to share at our picnic tables,” said LoBiondo. “Coach Kennedy and our rowers will be hosting a free learn to row clinic on the indoor rowing machines as well. And the kids will be giving tours of the boathouse. Everyone is welcome.”

Volunteers are asked to register in advance. Registration is free and helps Riverkeeper to keep an official tally of how many volunteers participate in this statewide cleanup. All previously registered volunteers, age 21 and over, will receive a voucher from the Newburgh Brewing company for a free beer or soda. The volunteer registration link is as follows:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/newburgh-newburgh-rowing-club-ward-park-cleanup-tree-planting-and-site-maintenance-registration-44415726634