By Lynne Hendricks
NEWBURYPORT — Whether it's to sun on the shore, fish in the surf, or embark on a party boat at the pier, there's a lot of fun to be had on the beach out at Plum Island Point.
But lately, visitors wishing to feel the sand between their toes on Newburyport's only beach are noticing a preponderance of cigarette butts nestled in the sand. And scattered here and there is evidence of the good time being had by beach-goers.
As co-owner of Newburyport-based Boat Camp, a program that introduces children to the wonders of the area's coastal environment, Kate Yeomans has been continually dismayed to see the trash piling up where Boat Camp counselors help students trawl for sand eels. And she and husband Rob plan to do something about it.
They've committed to adopting the beach and plan to embark on their first cleanup of the area on Sunday. They're hoping that through their network of camp counselors, campers and extended Boat Camp families, the plastic solo cups, empty bait trays and assorted trash and debris now scattered along the shore can be cleaned up for good.
"We bring kids down to Plum Island regularly as part of our program," Kate Yeomans said. "In the summer, we're down there a lot, and we've noticed the beach from the pier at Captains Fishing Parties' dock to the south jetty is just covered in trash. A lot of people using the beaches are not bringing things off the beach with them."
Boat Camp's adoption of that stretch of beach gives them unofficial responsibility for helping to keep it clean, which is a charge the Yeomans were inspired to take on after recently meeting a fisherman walking the beach.
"Two weeks ago, we were down there sand eeling with the kids, and a man on the beach came up to me and suggested it," Yeomans said.
"It's such a beautiful beach, and nobody is taking care of it," the man told her.
"We just decided we care about the beach a lot, because we grew up here, and the Merrimack River is so important to us that we wanted to do our part to help clean it up," Yeomans said.
Yeomans and a small crew will be out sifting through the sand Sunday, and they welcome anyone interested to join them in this work. Clear trash bags have been donated by the city's recycling coordinator, Molly Ettenborough, and the group will be cataloging each item they find, to help them better understand what they're up against in terms of maintaining a pristine coast.
"There's a lot of leftover evidence of picnics and fishing — everything from solo plastic cups, cardboard containers from bait and lots and lots of cigarette butts," Yeomans said. "There's so much marine life right there at the river mouth that could be adversely affected by trash and debris.
Those interested in helping should meet at 9 a.m. at the pier at Plum Island Point.
"Volunteers of all ages are welcome," Yeomans said.
For more information on participating in the beach cleanup, contact Yeomans at 978-463-2233 or go to www.Boatcamp.org.
