Get ready to clean up West County's shoreline

By Chris Treadway
Contra Costa Times

Posted: 09/11/2009 02:47:52 PM PDT

The office of Supervisor John Gioia annually sponsors a volunteer event at Shimada Friendship Park at Marina Bay in Richmond as part of the California Coastal Cleanup Day and treats those who come to lend a hand for the shoreline to a barbecue lunch.

At this year's event, from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, September 19, the post-cleanup meal will feature a healthy barbecue menu from Cindy Gershen of Sunrise Bistro in Walnut Creek.

This is the 19th year Gioia has hosted a work day at the Richmond location, one of several East Bay shoreline sites participating in the 25th annual California Coastal Cleanup.

Volunteers will meet at the park at the end of the Marina Bay Parkway and walk the Bay Trail and remove trash from the salt marsh, which is habitat for the endangered clapper rail. There are small beach areas on the shore suitable for younger volunteers.

An important component of the cleanup day, which is now an international event observed in more than 76 countries, is the tallying of the types and amounts of trash volunteers retrieve. The figures are entered into a database used to analyze and address trash in the world's oceans.

The Watershed Project is co-sponsoring cleanups at Shimada and three other local sites: Point Isabel Regional Shoreline at the end of Rydin Road off Central Avenue in Richmond; the Albany Bulb at the foot of Buchanan Street; and a stretch of Pinole Creek between Bear Creek Road and Castro Ranch Road in El Sobrante.

For more details on those events or to RSVP for groups of 10 or more, send an e-mail to volunteer@thewatershedproject.org.

In addition, there are cleanup events at several area parks: Eckley Pier, Bull Valley Staging Area, Carquinez Regional Shoreline on Carquinez Scenic Drive between Port Costa and Crockett; Lone Tree Point at the end of Pacific Avenue in Rodeo; Point Pinole Regional Shoreline at Giant Highway in Richmond; and Bayfront Park at the west end of Tennent Avenue in Pinole.

For more details on these events, call 510-544-2515.

Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes, a hat and sunscreen, and bring a water bottle and gloves if possible. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Reach Chris Treadway at 510-262-2784

25th Anniversary of the California Coastal Cleanup Day

When: September 19, 2009; 9:00am-12:00pm
Where: Contra Costa County Shoreline and Creeks
Followed by various celebrations
Find a site near you and join the largest volunteer event on the planet!

• Shimada Friendship Park, meet at the park located at the end of Marina Bay Parkway.
  The inside scoop: Walk the Bay Trail and clean the salt marsh, which is habitat for the endangered clapper rail and highly impacted by trash, plus small beach areas suitable for children. Boots or shoes that can get dirty will be helpful. Free barbeque at noon for volunteers sponsored by Supervisor Gioia. Raffle tickets for donated prizes will be given for anyone completing a data card.
• Point Isabel Regional Shoreline, meet at the parking lot at the end of Rydin Rd ( off Central Ave)
  The inside scoop: We'll walk north on the Bay Trail and try to link up with volunteers coming from Shimada. Enjoy beautiful bay views; mostly easy terrain with marshes and a hidden beach. Raffle tickets for donated prizes will be given for anyone completing a data card.
• Albany Bulb, meet at the foot of Buchanan Street, next to the racetrack
  The inside scoop: Bring sand sifters for the beach; great activity for kids. Active youth and adults can discover intriguing views and art work on the bulb. Raffle tickets for donated prizes will be given for anyone completing a data card.
• Pinole Creek, meet between Bear Creek Road and Castro Ranch Road
  The inside scoop: Inland site, help a beautiful creek. Some scrambling down the banks required.

Click here to view a map of the sites

Wear sturdy shoes, a hat and sunscreen; and bring your own water bottle and gloves if you have them. Celebration for volunteers at all sites will follow the cleanup. Children must be accompanied by an adult. RSVP for groups of 10 or more to volunteer@thewatershedproject.org.

Partners include: The Watershed Project, City of Albany, City of Richmond, Office of Supervisor John Gioia, Richmond Shoreline Citizen Response group, EBMUD, EBRPD, EarthTeam Environmental Network and Citizens for East Shore Parks

For further info e-mail us at volunteer@thewatershedproject.org