Earth Day | The Lo-Down : News from the Lower East Side

Marking Earth Day in Columbus Park

Columbus Park, Earth Day 2012.

Earth Day yesterday was a soggy affair. You’re looking at the scene in Chinatown, an event sponsored by the new Chinatown Business Improvement District in Columbus Park. After donning plastic ponchos and posing for photos, participants fanned out across the neighborhood to pick up garbage along several routes.

City Council member Margaret Chin and NYC Comptroller John Liu co-sponsored the cleanup day. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was also on hand to give a few words of encouragement. Among the participants: lots of community activists, but also students from Emma Lazarus High School, Stuyvesant High School and kids from the United East Athletic Association.

Earth Day Events in Chinatown, Lower East Side

Columbus Park, Chinatown.

The weather might not be completely cooperative on Earth Day, which is coming up on Sunday (rain is in the forecast). But you can take it! There are a couple of neighborhood events we wanted to mention.

In Chinatown, there’s a spring-cleanup day hosted by the new Chinatown BID and co-sponsored by City Council member Margaret Chin and Comptroller John Liu. Registration is at 10 a.m. in Columbus Park, 67 Mulberry Street. You can register for the event here.

First Street Green is hosting a kickoff event for their warm-weather programming, beginning at 2:30 p.m. One of the organizers, Lori Greenberg, tells us there will be a great afternoon of cultural programming and community events. See more details on their web site.