The 49th annual Broward County Waterway Cleanup took place on Mar. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m at over 30 different locations. While the local cleanup was centered at Riverside Park in Coral Springs, other key sites included Colohatchee Park and various locations throughout Coconut Creek.

Organized by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, the event saw volunteers participating by land and boat to help remove litter and debris from canals and shorelines.

Each year, the event brings residents together to clear canals, riverbanks and shorelines, with the primary goal of protecting water quality and local wildlife. The cleanup is part of a broader county initiative that targets waterways across Broward. Whether participating on foot or via small watercraft such as a kayak or canoe, volunteers of all levels contributed to ensuring the local ecosystem remains healthy and vibrant.

“It’s really about bringing people together from all different walks of life. We had an 8-year-old out here today and a 75-year-old working right alongside them,” said City Representative Louis Goldstein. “They come from our schools, our churches, all over—it’s just a huge point of civic pride for everyone involved.”

“It is important for the ecology for safe navigation that our canals are kept as clean as possible. If people leave material or debrief on the side of a canal, it ultimately ends up in the water,” said Goldstein. “So, it is very important for the community to participate in not only clean-ups like this, but also encouraging those to remove their litter appropriately.”

The cleanup’s efforts did more than just clear debris; they reinforced a shared commitment to protecting our ecosystem. For the volunteers at Riverside Park and beyond, the cleanup was a step toward a greener, more sustainable future for all of Broward County.