The Great East End Clean-Up took place throughout Southampton Town on April 26 and 27 in celebration of Earth Day. Approximately 530 volunteers removed 2.7 tons of garbage from our beaches, parks, trails, and roadsides.
On Saturday, May 3rd, Councilwoman Cyndi McNamara wrapped up the event by joining the Southampton Youth Bureau’s Youth Advisory Committee and Jessica Guallpa from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office of Community Affairs, in cleaning up under the Montauk Highway and Sunrise Highway bridges along the Shinnecock Canal.
Every year the youth vote on what area of the town to clean up and every year they choose under the bridges because they believe it is such a neglected area. Fishing lines, alcohol bottles, cigarette butts and debris that flew out of the cars on the highway above were among the items collected.
Councilwoman McNamara stated, “As we were cleaning under the Sunrise Highway bridge, there was garbage coming down from the vehicles above. Nobody wants to be a litterbug and sometimes items fly out while driving. Please be mindful of this and keep an eye on the beds of your trucks.”
Some groups chose to postpone their efforts due to the rainy Saturday and others, like the VFW and American Legion, braved the weather and cleaned up Good Ground Road in Hampton Bays in the rain.
“I want to thank all of the volunteers,” stated Councilwoman McNamara. “Everyone did a great job cleaning up. It really does make a difference in our Town.”
For more information about the event, please contact Councilwoman Cyndi McNamara at 631-287-5745.
