Volunteers Wanted for Saturday Cattus Island Clean Up

In an effort to get the trails in Cattus Island cleaned and re-opened following the deposit of debris by Hurricane Sandy last month, a volunteer clean up at the park is scheduled for Saturday. 

Organizers are aiming to sign up 100 volunteers to participate in the clean up effort at the 530-acre Toms River park from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. So far, about 65 participants have pledged their support, according to Joanna Marino, the AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador who is organizing the effort.

"We'll be picking up trash, fixing trails, and removing debris that was deposited in the park as a result of Hurricane Sandy," Marino said in an email. 

Those interested in participating can email Marino to confirm their attendance or simply show up at the park. Other Saturday projects throughout Ocean County and the state — including a home clean up in Toms River — are listed on the Clean Ocean Action Waves of Action Day website. Volunteers are asked to complete a waiver to participate in the restoration projects. 

Marino made a few recommendations for those planning to contribute to the Cattus Island effort, which will meet in the 1170 Cattus Island Blvd. park's parking lot. 

"We're asking that volunteers dress warmly, wear work gloves and boots, and bring any deconstruction materials that they might want to use during the day (hammers, screwdrivers, crowbars, rakes)," she said. 

The National Weather Service predicts that Saturday will be mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain. The high temperature is expected to reach 51 degrees.