Mystic Community Earth Day April 30

Local organizations team up for second annual event

Several organizations are joining together for the second consecutive year to coordinate numerous events for Earth Day in the Lower Mystic River Watershed in Medford, Somerville, Malden, Everett, Chelsea and East Boston. Comprising the “Mystic Community Earth Day,” the events will take place on Saturday, April 30, in honor of Earth Day (April 22d) and will focus on improving areas along the river, while drawing attention to the needs of the watershed as a whole. All events are free and open to the public. Volunteers are needed to complete this important work.

The Mystic River Watershed is the most urbanized and densely populated watershed in Massachusetts, with more than a half-million people living in its 76 square miles. Due to its long industrial history and antiquated sewer systems, the water quality of the river is severely degraded and access to the riverfront is limited. Despite these challenges, residents, community groups, and organizations are working to improve the Mystic River, its tributaries, and surrounding communities.

This year marks the 41st Earth Day, which was first held on April 22, 1970, and featured rallies, protests, and clean-ups across the country with a strong college student presence. That day is often considered the birth of the modern environmental movement. Earth Day 2011 will be observed nationwide on April 22 and will be marked by many of the same activities as the original event.

The Mystic Community Earth Day will include clean-ups, trail clearings, and plantings. For more information about any of the Mystic Community Earth Day events, please contact the respective coordinator from each organization (see below).

Events will include the following:

Medford
Friends of the Mystic River will hold its 16th annual Mystic River Spring Cleanup from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, in the vicinity of Mystic Riverbend Park, MacDonald Park, and the Wellington Greenway in the Mystic River Reservation. Meet in the parking lot at Hormel Stadium to sign in and pick up bags, gloves, pokers and instructions. Contact: www.fomr.org, call 781-391-2604 or Mystic02155@hotmail.com.

Xtreme Ninja Martial Arts Center is partnering with Green Medford and Medford City Hall to clean up litter and plant flowers in Medford Square on Saturday, April 30, from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Meet at the bus shelter on Riverside Avenue, next to the Salem Street Burial Ground. Contact: Anna Nguyen, Xtreme Ninja Martial Arts Center, 781.395.7131, xtremeninja1@yahoo.com.

There will be a Recycle Day Event for used/broken electronics and appliances from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brooks School parking lot, 388 High St. Items will be unloaded from vehicles and sent to a facility for proper recycling. Fees are modest and per category: $5 for small electronics such as iPods and computer mice (any number); $10 for medium electronics (e.g., laptops, phones); $15 large electronics (e.g., microwaves, dishwashers); $20 All TVs.

The City of Medford will hold an Arbor Day event on Friday, April 29, consisting of vista pruning and the removal of invasive species along the Mystic River in Riverbend Park. Bill Bernardinelli of Lawns Plus, and Joe Turner of Turner Tree, will lead the project as part of the Massachusetts Arbor Day of Service. Volunteers are needed to assist on the ground. Contact: Carey Duques, Medford’s Environmental Agent, cduques@medford.org or 781-393-2137 or Aggie Tuden, Medford Tree Warden, atuden@medford.org, 781-395-8695.

Everett
Mayor Carlo DeMaria Jr. and the Everett Beautification Committee, Everett Kiwanis, and Recylebank will sponsor a citywide Cleanup Day, Saturday April 30, from 8 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are to meet at Glendale Park for a light breakfast snack and get a cleanup assignment. The will focus on cleaning of area parks and tot lots as well as entryways into the city. Contact: Matt Laidlaw, Everett Director of Communications, 617-394-2270, matt.laidlaw@ci.everett.ma.us.

Somerville
Groundwork Somerville and the Mystic River Watershed Association are joining forces to clean the Mystic River Path in Somerville on April 30. This community event will take place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., along the path adjacent to the Christmas Tree Shop at Assembly Square Mall (177 Middlesex Avenue, Somerville). Participants should park/meet at the northwest corner of the Christmas Tree Shop parking lot. Supplies will be provided, but additional tools and gloves are welcome. Contact: Brad Arndt, Groundwork Somerville, Brad@GroundworkSomerville.org or Beth Meserve, Mystic River Watershed Association, Beth@MysticRiver.org, 781-316-3438.

The City of Somerville will also have a citywide clean-up from 10 a.m. to noon, culminating with a community barbecue and band concert at the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse from noon to 2 p.m.

East Boston-Chelsea
The Chelsea Creek Action Group (CCAG), a partnership between Chelsea Green Space and Recreational Committee and East Boston’s Neighborhood of Affordable Housing, will hold the annual citywide clean-ups in both Chelsea and East Boston.

On Friday, April 29, from 3 to 5 p.m., East Boston resident will meet at the Condor Street Urban Wild. Contact: Melinda Alvarado-Vega, (617) 567-5882, mvega@noahcdc.org (East Boston)
On Saturday, April 30, from 9 a.m. to noon, the Chelsea Green Space & Recreational Committee along with the City of Chelsea and Chelsea Neighborhood Developers will host a city wide clean-up in honor of Earth Day. Gather in front of Chelsea City Hall (500 Broadway) at 9 a.m.; a celebration will follow at the Creekside Commons Park, 1000 Broadway Chelsea) at noon. Contact: Yaritza Gonzalez, (617) 889-6080 x 107, yarig@chelseacollab.org (Chelsea)

Event Schedule for Mystic Community Earth Day:

Friday 4/29/11
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
East Boston Urban Wild Event (East Boston)
7:30 AM
City of Medford Tree Pruning (Medford)

Saturday, 4/30/11
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
City of Everett Clean-Up (Everett)
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Mystic River Clean-Up (Somerville)
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Chelsea Clean-Up (Chelsea)
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
City of Medford Drop Off Event (Medford)
9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Mystic River/Wellington Greenway Clean-Up (Medford)
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
City of Somerville Clean-Up (Somerville)
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Malden River Area Clean-Up (Malden/Everett)
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
City of Somerville Blessing of the Bay Boathouse Barbecue and Band Concert (Somerville)
2:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Medford Square Clean-Up (Medford)

– Submitted by Ken Krause, Friends of the Mystic River