Inland Empire Waterkeeper adopts Riverside park

The local nonprofit Inland Empire Waterkeeper has partnered with the city of Riverside to help preserve the environment at Martha McLean-Anza Narrows Park, officials announced last week.

Waterkeeper will help the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department protect the Santa Ana River that flows along the park’s north end. The group will host a volunteer trash cleanup in the park on the third Saturday of each month to remove debris from the riverbed and its surroundings before the pollution enters and can harm the river. 

In its first three monthly cleanups of 2024, Waterkeeper has removed over 1,600 pounds of trash from the park, according to the city’s announcement.

“Adopting Martha McLean is a promise to keep it clean, along with the Santa Ana River,” Johanna Ramos, program director for Inland Empire Waterkeeper, said in a statement. “We love seeing local community members engage with the river, and we hope by adopting the park we can reach even more Inland Empire families.”

The parks department supports Waterkeeper’s restoration work at the McLean-Anza Narrows Park by “donating supplies” including trash bags, gloves, and portable restrooms to cleanup participants and “consistent communication,” officials said. Following volunteers’ debris removal, the parks department’s maintenance staff makes sure the removal efforts were done safely and moves the debris for disposal off-site.

“Today marks a significant milestone for our community,” Anthony Zamora, deputy director of the parks department, said in a statement. “This partnership exemplifies our city’s commitment to nurturing green spaces where families can gather, children can play, and everyone can enjoy the beauty of nature right in the heart of our city. Our collaboration with IE Waterkeeper is just the start to rebuilding our City’s beautiful historical parks.”

More information and registration for cleanups is at iewaterkeeper.org.