On Saturday, April 22, more than 340 volunteers spread out across 10 different locations in Canton, Dedham, Dorchester, Hyde Park, Mattapan, Norwood, Quincy, and Walpole to help clean up trash and debris along the Neponset River, its tributaries, and surrounding parks.

Managed by dedicated site captains and community leaders, the volunteers collected 262 large bags of assorted bottles, cans, plastics, and junk — and close to 8 tons of debris.

Some of the more interesting finds include 2 car gas tanks, 3 fifty-five gallon oil drums, 1 lazy boy recliner, 1 rusted sofa frame, 1 television, 1 ladder, an air conditioner, the top of a clothes washer, many dozens of baseballs and golf balls, and close to 1/2 of a ton of invasive plant material.

View Cleanup Photos

A great deal of thanks goes to our cleanup partners and sponsors: MA Dept. of Conservation & Recreation (DCR), Deloitte, Belnel Neighborhood Association, Friends of the Blue Hills, City of Boston Parks and Recreation, Edgewater Neighborhood Association, ENE Inc., Friends of the Boston Harbor Walk, Greater Boston Trout Unlimited, Quincy Asian Resources, Inc., GZA, American Rivers, EPIC (Empowering People for Inclusive Communities), Canton DPW, Dedham DPW, Norwood DPW, Walpole Town Forest Committee and photographers Thomas Palmer, Fred Cannon, Ellen Curran, and Bruce Wahl.

If you were unable to join us at the cleanup, you can still help by becoming a NepRWA member or making a donation.