Housatonic River Clean Up
Getting Dirty While Keeping The River Clean
Our Community Action Group
Being Good Stewards of the Housatonic River
The Housatonic River Clean up all began with an idea in 1988. The cleanup began with the Trophy Chasers fishing club. The first year that the event took place, it was only open to club members. The second year the club opened the event to the public. Unfortunately, after a couple of years, the event was discontinued. In 1996, organizers tried to put the event together again but it then faded again.
In 2008, the Housatonic River Clean Up (as it is known today) was restarted and has become a community organization made up of members of various fishing and boating clubs and non-club members who use the river for recreational purposes. Our goal is to make the river healthier and safer for its inhabitants and those who boat, fish, and swim in the river.
Each year volunteers have removed more and more debris from the river's banks and islands making this yearly project extremely vital. Items that are pulled off of the banks and islands includes dock foam, dock floats, dock barrels (used as floats), plastic water bottles, docks, tires, basketballs, boats and their trailers, trees/driftwood, propane tanks, and many other harmful objects that pose a health risk to the river and its inhabitants as well as a safely risk to those who use the river for recreational purposes.
This yearly project is funded entirely by donations from individuals and local entities. Committee members are unpaid volunteers who are passionate about keeping the river safe and healthy for all to enjoy.
Get Involved
The Next Clean Up Date Is:
April 27, 2024 from 8 am to 2 pm.
Refreshments and lunch will be served.
Gloves and bags will be provided.
If you have a boat, please bring it.
If you have a pick up truck please bring it.
Locations:
Stratford - Birdseye Boat Ramp
Shelton: Sunnyside Boat Ramp
Directions to both locations are below.
We greatly appreciate your continued support!
Volunteering
Here's what you need to know for the day of the event:
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You must sign in before starting. We will assign you to a location.
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We will try to provide water but we highly recommend bringing water and snacks with you.
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Please dress according to the weather and conditions. We recommend sunblock, work boots and bug spray.
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We will provide gloves and trash bags.
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Minor children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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We would be happy to sign off on community service hours. If you have a form, please bring it with you. If you need a letter, please make sure to let us know when you sign in and out.
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With a large group? Feel free to print out the registration form to fill out and bring with you the day of the event.
This Year's Giveaways
This year we're giving away something different. Thanks to Mark's Art: Printing & Graphics, we now have an updated logo and he put the logo on beanie hats and reusable bags for us. The hats and bags are both made from recycled materials. Participants will have the option to choose whether they want a hat or bag while supplies last.
Beanie Hat
This is what the beanie hats look like. Participants have the option to choose a hat or a bag while supplies last.
How To Get There
Sunnyside Boat Ramp - 418 River Road, Shelton, Ct (ramp is located behind the school)
From Rt 8 North (from Bridgeport)
Take exit 13 (Constitution Blvd)
Turn right off of the exit
Follow Constitution Blvd to the bottom of the hill (Riverdale Diner on the left) - take a left at the light
Pull into first driveway at Sunnyside School and follow to the back.
From Rt 8 South (from Waterbury)
Take exit 14 (Howe Ave/Rt 110)
Take a left at the light
Follow Rt 110 until you see Sunnyside School on the left.
From Merrit Parkway (from Bridgeport)
Take Exit 53 (Shelton/Stratford)
Turn left at the light. Follow Rt 110 through Stratford and Shelton.
Sunnyside School is on the right.
From Merrit Parkway (from New Haven)
Take exit 52 (shelton/Stratford).
Turn right (Sikorsky Helicopter plant is on the right)
Follow Rt 110 to Sunnyside School.
Birdseye Boat Ramp - Birdseye St - Stratford, Ct
From 1-95 South (from Milford)
Take Exit 31 (South Ave)
Turn left
At the light (intersection with Main St), take a right
Take a left onto Birdseye Street and go straight
From 1-95 North (from Bridgeport)
Take Exit 31 (Honeyspot Rd)
Go straight
Turn right onto South Ave
At the light (intersection with Main St), take a right
Take a left onto Birdseye Street and go straight
From Shelton/Sunnyside Boat Ramp
Take a left out of Sunnyside School's parking lot onto Rt 110 (River Rd)
Go straight through Shelton and Stratford
River Rd will split into Rt 110 and Rt 113 (Main St) (country club/golf course on the right)
Go straight down Main St
Continue to go straight through downtown Stratford and cross Stratford Avenue
Turn left onto Birdseye St and go straight.
From Shelton/Sunnyside Boat Ramp (highway)
From the ramp, you might opt to get into the Merrit Parkway. Go on the Merrit Parkway going North toward New Haven
Take the I-95 exit going toward New York
Take Exit 31 (South Ave)
Turn left
At the light (intersection with Main St), take a right
Take a left onto Birdseye Street and go straight