Everything from general trash to abandoned boats are removed during the Shore Sweep event.
For more than 35 years, the Lake Lanier Association’s Shore Sweep has brought together volunteers with boats, trucks, cars, golf carts, and pure people power to clean up the waters and shorelines of Lake Lanier.
This year’s Shore Sweep takes place on Saturday, September 21. The association is seeking volunteers and people with boats to help.
“We count on the community each year to help with this important event and they continue to step forward,” said Bonny Putney, chair of Shore Sweep and Lake Lanier board member. “You can help at our advance sites or come on Shore Sweep Day. Bring your neighbors and friends. It’s much more fun that way.”
She says that the group expects “another record-breaking year, particularly with all the floats that were high and dry last year.”
Advance drop-off sites will open in early September. They are the same as last year:
Shady Grove Park-Beach (drop off by boat only), Beaver Ruin, Gwinnett Park, Gaines Ferry Island, Beaver Island, Wahoo Island 2WC and Nix Bridge Island. At these locations, people should drop off trash as close to the signs at the sites as possible. Pickups will take place immediately after Shore Sweep is over.”
“Some changes have been made for the day-of collection sites,” Putney said. “Little River Boat Ramp has been added, and Van Pugh North is taking the place of Aqualand, which will be much closer for most people in that area to bring trash.”
In addition to the two changes, other day-of collection sites include Bald Ridge Marina, Shady Grove-Boat Access Only, Port Royale Marina, War Hill Park, Toto Creek Park, Don Carter State Park, Laurel Park, Holly Park, Gainesville Marina, Balus Creek Boat Ramp, Lanier Islands Boat Ramp and Gwinnett Park.
“Each of these sites will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on collection day,” she said. “We encourage people to come early to avoid the heat later in the morning.”
To register and for more info, including GPS coordinates for the advance sites, visit lakelanier.org.
Photo: provided by Lake Lanier Association
