Save The Bay Volunteers: first time volunteering since the pandemic? Please read the whole posting to learn about changes to our program so you know what to expect! Most important: 1. All participants MUST pre-register, and 2. If you have not yet completed the General Volunteer Waiver, you will be directed to do so when you hit Respond - but then you will need to return to this listing to complete your registration!
WHAT: Come help clean up Colt State Park in Bristol! Shoreline litter is ugly and dangerous to wildlife, and you can help us make a difference!
WHERE: Colt State Park is a large park! See map for exact meeting site. Please follow these directions to find the meeting site.
From points north or south on ROUTE 114 / HOPE STREET in Bristol, turn west onto ASYLUM ROAD (there is a traffic light at this intersection, and two large bulls atop white marble “gates”).
Follow ASYLUM ROAD past the Quinta-Gamelin Community Center, the Bike Path, and when you reach a fork in the road, bear to the left to continue on ASYLUM toward Colt State Park (rather than bearing right towards the Town Beach & athletic fields).
Continue past an unmanned guard shack into Colt State Park, and follow the main road through the park. It will lead you past the Boat Ramp and along the waterfront. Continue straight ahead, with Narragansett Bay on your right. You will proceed straight, passing several turnoffs and parking areas. Once you pass a heavily concentrated picnic area in a grove of trees and a PUBLIC RESTROOM building, you will see a large parking lot directly ahead of you as you head uphill (“Surprise Hill”). Ample parking for cleanup volunteers is available in the Surprise Hill parking area.
WHAT TO WEAR/BRING:
- A mask or cloth face covering is required.
- Dress for the weather in clothes you don't mind getting dirty.
- Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are required.
- Please bring your own sunscreen, tick repellant, and water.
- We will provide trash bags, disposable gloves, and hand sanitizer. But it helps us social distance if you can bring your own!
NOTE: We have redesigned our cleanup program in order to do our work as safely as possible in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please read!
- Pre-registration required - no walk ins, and no bringing friends and family who have not registered! People who have not pre-registered will not be allowed to participate. Team signup is no longer an option; each volunteer must sign up individually.
- E-Waiver required - we've gone paperless! You must complete our general volunteer waiver in order to register, but you only need to do this once a year. Simply hit respond to this need and the system will walk you through it if you haven't signed already. If you have any trouble, you can check out this video that shows you how. Contact July Lewis at jlewis@savebay.org if you have questions.
- Age requirements: Ages 13+ may participate (must also create an account and sign up); Must be 16+ to participate independently; younger volunteers must be accompanied by parent or guardian.
- Safety instructions must be reviewed in advance. We will not gather together for a welcome and safety speech as in the past. You will simply check in, pick up any needed supplies, and start cleaning! Therefore it is important that all volunteers review the detailed safety instructions, which include new guidance and COVID-19 screening. When you register, you must check to indicate you have reviewed them and agree to them.
- COVID-19 screening questionnaire - All participants must self-screen by answering the questionnaire in the safety instructions before leaving for the cleanup. Volunteers must be able to say "no" to all questions in order to attend. We will email it out again before the cleanup.
- Service hour documentation - we will provide confirmation letters electronically upon request. Email jlewis@savebay.org if you need one.
Any questions or difficulty registering? Contact July Lewis at jlewis@savebay.org. We want you on our team!
