Volunteering on Sweep Day
Join the Red Hook Community and Resilient Red Hook along with the Brooklyn Outdoor Service Guides scouts for the Riverkeeper Sweep clean-up event that is taking place at Valentino Pier Park, Red Hook on May 2nd, 2026.
During the Riverkeeper Sweep , volunteers and members of the community will clean up trash at the site, and also record the types of trash that they are picking up, as part of the comprehensive data collection initiative (CDCI), which provides data for Riverkeeper to help support polices such as to reduce the volume of single-use items in the environment.
This year's beach and park clean-up service event marks some special milestones:
15th Annual Riverkeeper Sweep Over the last 15 years of the sweep, thousands of volunteers have cleaned up shores along the Hudson and its tributaries, cleaning up 396 tons of debris and also planting or maintaining 11,240 native plants.
I Love My Park Day. This year's Riverkeeper Sweep will also be a celebration of I Love My Park Day where volunteers in parks all over New York State are participating in clean-up events for their parks.
30th Anniversary of the passing of Louise Valentino, Jr,the FDNY firefighter who lost his life while searching for three wounded firefighters in a garage fire and for whom Valentino Pier is named as a tribute to his service.
When: May 2nd, 2026
Where: Valentino Pier, Brooklyn
Time: 10 am-12 pm
Register through the Riverkeeper Sweep link: https://engage.riverkeeper.org/component/events/event/33
FAQs:
Q: Is this open to all ages?, A: Yes! All ages are welcome. Younger children should have an adult with them while they are participating in the event.
Q: Is there parking? A: There isn't a driveway, but there is parking along the side streets in the adjacent neighborhood
Q: What do I wear?: A: Wear comfortable clothes with sun protection, including a hat and sun glasses; for safety, wear close-toed shoes, long pants are recommended
Q:What do I bring? A: Water bottle, sun screen
Q: Will tools be provided? A; Yes! Safety gloves, trash pickers, trash bags will all be provided.
Q: Where is Valentino Pier Park? A: Valentino Pier park is located between Ferris St. between Coffey St. and Van Dyke St. in Brooklyn
Q: How can I get to Valentino Pier Park with public transportation? A: You can take the B61 bus to Van Dyke St/Van Brunt St and the walk the remaining 6 -10 minutes to the park
Have More Questions!?: If you have any questions, please reach out to Laura Gibson-Rimer (bella.gibson@gmail.com), Joanna Lumbang Dowding (joannalumbang@yahoo.com) or Jane Chuang Jane Chuang (Janechuang4@gmail.com )
See you at the sweep!