TRENTON, NJ, May 21, 2024–The 3rd Annual Trenton Community Day on Saturday, May 4th attracted about 50 people—despite the afternoon turning rainy. Participants removed trash from the banks of the Assunpink Creek and learned about the vital role this waterway plays in the community.
This event at George Page Park/Hetzel Field was planned in partnership with local organizations such as the East Trenton Collaborative (ETC), Isles Inc., The Watershed Institute, Children’s Home Society, and Urban Promise-Trenton. Several Trenton governmental groups attended, such as the Dept. of Recreation, Dept. of Health, and Dept. of Social Services. Mayor Reed Gusciora came out to the event and spoke with all the participating organizations.
This event’s purpose was to bring awareness and education about Assunpink Creek to the Trenton community. People learned more about the water quality and health of the Assunpink, what actions are underway to protect this waterway, and what locals can do to advocate for remediation of the harmful impacts wrought by the region’s industrial history.
To help spread awareness, around 123 pounds of trash were collected in a stream cleanup, led by NJ Watershed Ambassador Scott Ulrick, along the banks of the Assunpink in George Page Park.
Despite the rain, 30 organizations came out to engage with community members about their organizations, enjoy food from Skil-Lit Cafe and Wegmans, and offer activities like fishing, exploring macroinvertebrate leaf packs, flowerpot painting, and the stream cleanup.
The Watershed Institute and its community partners look forward to next year’s event and hope for a sunny day!
