Pictures

« Return to album listGreen Team Kick-Off Event On Thursday, July 10th Groundwork Yonkers, Groundwork Bridgeport, and Groundwork Elizabeth brought their Green Teams together in Yonkers for the summer Green Team Kick Off Event! To follow are some pictures taken capturing each of the fun and educational events.
The Green Teams were given some time to look around at Beczak where they have examples of Hudson River wildlife. The big turtle was a main attraction.
The Green Teams were given some time to look around at Beczak where they have examples of Hudson River wildlife. The big turtle was a main attraction.
Kids from Nepperhan Community Center, who came to represent the Yonkers Green Team, enjoyed Beczak's telescopes.
Kids from Nepperhan Community Center, who came to represent the Yonkers Green Team, enjoyed Beczak’s telescopes.
We were lucky to have perfect weather all day.
We were lucky to have perfect weather all day.
After looking around inside the group was encouraged to spend some time outside enjoying Beczak's beautiful view of the River.
After looking around inside the group was encouraged to spend some time outside enjoying Beczak’s beautiful view of the River.
Enjoying the open space!
Enjoying the open space!
From left: Rick Magder, the Executive Director of Groundwork Yonkers and Groundwork USA chatting with Cliff Schneider, the Executive Director of Beczak.
From left: Rick Magder, the Executive Director of Groundwork Yonkers and Groundwork USA chatting with Cliff Schneider, the Executive Director of Beczak.
Curt Collier of Groundwork Yonkers and Groundwork USA, who did most of the organizing for the event, led the group in some great team building activities. Here he is teaching everyone the Groundwork sign.
Curt Collier of Groundwork Yonkers and Groundwork USA, who did most of the organizing for the event, led the group in some great team building activities. Here he is teaching everyone the Groundwork sign.
Group photo!
Group photo!
One more for good measure...
One more for good measure…
Another fun team building activity.
Another fun team building activity.
It involved jumping, which is always fun.
It involved jumping, which is always fun.
Next, everyone walked a couple blocks to see where the Hudson meets the Saw Mill River.
Next, everyone walked a couple blocks to see where the Hudson meets the Saw Mill River.
Maybe the dead fish sighting re-enforced how important it is to maintain the river estuaries...
Maybe the dead fish sighting re-enforced how important it is to maintain the river estuaries…
This is one of the last views of the Saw Mill River's course in Yonkers, where is runs mostly underground. Here the group was shown a point where you can see the river going under a building.
This is one of the last views of the Saw Mill River’s course in Yonkers, where is runs mostly underground. Here the group was shown a point where you can see the river going under a building.
Curt and Rick talked about the implications that this underground segment has on the rest of the estuaries.
Curt and Rick talked about the implications that this underground segment has on the rest of the estuaries.
The tour continued with a brief walk to Philipse Manor Hall State Historic site.
The tour continued with a brief walk to Philipse Manor Hall State Historic site.
At Philipse Manor Hall everyone was given a brief history of Yonkers and the historical uses of the Hudson.
At Philipse Manor Hall everyone was given a brief history of Yonkers and the historical uses of the Hudson.
Rick Magder, Curt Collier, and Anne Megaro of Groundwork Yonkers.
Rick Magder, Curt Collier, and Anne Megaro of Groundwork Yonkers.
The next stop was for lunch!
The next stop was for lunch!
Lunch was held at Sprain Ridge Park. Curt prepared some delicious BBQ chicken and turkey along with corn and salad.
Lunch was held at Sprain Ridge Park. Curt prepared some delicious BBQ chicken and turkey along with corn and salad.
Everyone enjoyed the cold water and lemonade after walking all over Yonkers!
Everyone enjoyed the cold water and lemonade after walking all over Yonkers!
Curt led another fun team building activity. It started with one ball...
Curt led another fun team building activity. It started with one ball…
It turned into a crazy game of catch!
It turned into a crazy game of catch!
Everyone enjoyed the game.
Everyone enjoyed the game.
The last team building activity was the most amusing.
The last team building activity was the most amusing.
It involved bananas...
It involved bananas…
In this relay race, each person had to move the banana to their neighbor using only their feet!
In this relay race, each person had to move the banana to their neighbor using only their feet!
And then the lucky ones sitting at the end of each row had to eat their banana first to win,
And then the lucky ones sitting at the end of each row had to eat their banana first to win,
Each group traveled by bus.
Each group traveled by bus.
The next and last stop was the Farragut Ave. site along the Saw Mill River. The Saw Mill River Coalition (part of Groundwork Yonkers), along with many volunteers from various organizations, has been working on the site for months.
The next and last stop was the Farragut Ave. site along the Saw Mill River. The Saw Mill River Coalition (part of Groundwork Yonkers), along with many volunteers from various organizations, has been working on the site for months.
This sign was made by an AmerCorps volunteer for the Saw Mill River Coalition/Groundwork Yonkers.
This sign was made by an AmerCorps volunteer for the Saw Mill River Coalition/Groundwork Yonkers.
The path, which was created by the Saw Mill Coalition and volunteers from Goldman Sachs in mid May was already being taken over by invasive vines!
The path, which was created by the Saw Mill Coalition and volunteers from Goldman Sachs in mid May was already being taken over by invasive vines!
So were the trees that were planted! The Green Teams set out to free the trees.
So were the trees that were planted! The Green Teams set out to free the trees.
A freed tree!
A freed tree!
Before...
Before…
After!
After!
Before...
Before…
After!
After!
The path leads to a small waterfall. Someday there will be a viewing platform and/or a bench so that the South County trail users can enjoy a beautiful spot along the river.
The path leads to a small waterfall. Someday there will be a viewing platform and/or a bench so that the South County trail users can enjoy a beautiful spot along the river.
Bob Del Torto, who is in charge of the Yonkers Parks Department volunteer programs, gave some information about the Saw Mill River habitat.
Bob Del Torto, who is in charge of the Yonkers Parks Department volunteer programs, gave some information about the Saw Mill River habitat.
He also informed everyone to look put for poison ivy!
He also informed everyone to look put for poison ivy!
Anne Megaro, Groundwork Yonker's Land Program Director also provided some information about indigenous and invasive plants.
Anne Megaro, Groundwork Yonker’s Land Program Director also provided some information about indigenous and invasive plants.
The first team of river-cleaners put on their waders!
The first team of river-cleaners put on their waders!
All of the vine-cutters wore gloves.
All of the vine-cutters wore gloves.
The canoe arrives!
The canoe arrives!
Everyone took turns taking the canoe to pick up floatables along the River's edge.
Everyone took turns taking the canoe to pick up floatables along the River’s edge.
Never a dull moment!
Never a dull moment!
Trash gets stuck in the riffles so the wader teams fished it out.
Trash gets stuck in the riffles so the wader teams fished it out.
They amassed quite a collection!
They amassed quite a collection!
Teamwork!
Teamwork!
Vine-cutters hard at work!
Vine-cutters hard at work!
Who said hard-work can't be fun?
Who said hard-work can’t be fun?
A new team of waders geared up.
A new team of waders geared up.
The waders are not the easiest things to get on...
The waders are not the easiest things to get on…
The Green Teams found out that it's a little bit difficult to keep one's footing!
The Green Teams found out that it’s a little bit difficult to keep one’s footing!
More teamwork!
More teamwork!