Bronx’s River Cleanup Flows in Van Cortlandt

Van Cortlandt Park sparkled last night after the Bronx’s river cleanup, rinsing NYC’s spring green. Volunteer Tariq Evans led 80 along Tibbetts Brook, bagging 30 trash sacks in a pre-Earth Day push. It’s borough grit—free gloves, pure BX vibe. A kid fished a can; a pro hauled a tire. ‘Bronx flows—this is it,’ Evans says, lugging junk. The banks turned clean.

The sweep’s weekly—since March, it tripled, hitting 500 pounds last night. Evans, a Woodlawn eco; last night’s crew hit max—sweat poured. A latecomer grabbed a net; mud splashed—NYC grit glowed. Parks chipped bins—river breathed free. #BronxCleanup trended; Staten’s eyeing brooms.

Some shrugged—’Too dirty,’ griped a walker, dodging slime. Bugs bit—repellent won; effort held. A rival’s pitching a Soundview scrub, splitting bags. Still, 100 stayed—clean ruled. Van Cortlandt’s never flowed so fresh.

Evans wants monthly, maybe a kayak sweep if spring bites. ‘NYC’s water—this saves it,’ he says, dumping loads. The cleanup’s a Bronx win—grit meets green. It’s a river redux; join the haul. Bring boots—mess waits.