Giving Back to the Community: Herter Park Cleanup Recap
On October 26th, members of the New England Gator Club® and the Charles River Conservancy joined forces for a cleanup at Herter Park in Allston/Brighton. This event brought out about 38 volunteers, including our 5-person Gator contingent, all ready to tackle an array of cleanup tasks to keep the Charles River area green, clean, and welcoming.
38 attendees at the Herter Park cleanup event, including members of the New England Gator Club®
A Team Effort for Our City’s Parks
Led by Charles River Conservancy organizers Sasha and Hans, our teams got to work gathering litter along the river bank, braving thick brush and balancing along the uneven ground. The UF group collected a solid 4 bags of trash, working as a team to reach tricky spots and clear out the debris. We then transitioned to leaf-raking, contributing an impressive 18 bags! Special shoutout to our volunteer Mike, who tackled leaf-bagging with efficiency using “pincer” rakes—an innovative method that saved time and energy.
Tyrel and Cheryl getting litter from in the weeds at the riverbank!
The Charles River Conservancy provided us with all the tools needed, including rakes and trash bags. Their team also shared the importance of this partnership, which helps maintain urban green spaces that invite everyone to enjoy the natural beauty and resources of the Charles River and its parks.
Memorable Moments and Gator Spirit
One of the highlights? Running into a fellow volunteer, a UGA fan no less, who was helping out with a 5K event in the park. Naturally, we couldn’t resist a little friendly rivalry banter about the upcoming FL/GA game! Contributing to the community always feels good, but seeing our impact firsthand—like a hillside going from a layer of leaves to fresh, bare grass—made it all the more rewarding.
After the cleanup, we headed to Notch Brewing, where four of us gathered to share a couple of beers and an unconventional (but delicious!) potato, leek, and cream cheese pizza. We even teased Sarah, who discovered Notch’s name doesn’t actually include “Top.” We also enjoyed talking with Matt and Mike about the exciting and experimental brewery scene in Nashville.
Long-Term Impact for a Better Community
This cleanup not only provided a meaningful way for the New England Gator Club® to give back but also had a tangible impact on Herter Park. By clearing the hillside amphitheater of debris and leaves, we’re encouraging fresh grass to grow for next year, creating a comfortable, green place for park-goers to relax and enjoy events. Together, we’re helping make the Charles River area a more vibrant, accessible, and welcoming green space.
Tons of leaves!
18 bags of leaves collected!
We’re already looking forward to our next community service event with Toys for Tots in December. We may add an event in November as well, so be sure to keep an eye on our events page for updates.
Thank you to everyone who came out and helped make a difference in our community. Go Gators!
Tyrel Clayton
President, New England Gator Club®
