COASTSWEEP Beach Cleanup

CoastSweep encourages families to volunteer and help preserve some of the nicest coastal properties on the planet!

Living on the North Shore has a lot of benefits, and one of the best is our proximity to the beach.  Wherever you might be living or visiting on the North Shore, you are never more than a half-hour car ride from the nearest spot to bury your toes in the sand.  We have miles and miles of beautiful beach available to us, and it's our obligation to help keep it clean. Each September through November, thousands of volunteers throughout Massachusetts turn out for COASTSWEEP—the statewide coastal cleanup sponsored by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). Our list of 2024 North Shore Coastsweep Cleanups 

COASTSWEEP - The Annual Statewide Coastal Cleanup

COASTSWEEP, organized by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, is part of an annual campaign to raise awareness of marine debris and clean beaches on the coasts of oceans, rivers, lakes, marshes and ponds.  It relies on volunteers from local communities to step up and provide the man power to clean debris and litter from the shoreline of their local bodies of water. 

In Massachusetts, volunteer rates have consistently increased since 1987. The annual cleanup has grown over the years, resulting in 160 miles of coastline, river bank, marsh, seafloor, and lakeshore in eastern Massachusetts, 2856 volunteers and 18,197 pounds of debris from 148 locations in 2022 alone.

Most of the trash comes from from nearby roads, parking lots and fields that is blown into the water. Some of the trash is directly from marine activities and unfortunately some is left right on the beach by the very people who use it. What's in that giant pile of trash?  All kinds of stuff that doesn't belong on our beaches like toilet bowls, rubber boots, pieces of fishing net, truck tires, industrial tubing, milk crates, vinyl siding, cigarette butts, furniture, and mountains of paper and plastic debris.

COASTSWEEP isn't just another  beach clean up either.  Participants are encouraged to quantify what they find and collect on data cards during the cleanup and handed over to organizers.  This data is then sent to the Ocean Conservancy in Washington DC, where its kept in a massive database of the International Coastal Cleanup program.  The data is then analyzed, and used to identify patterns of marine debris and its source, which helps in developing comprehensive coastal management policies.

Take part in COASTSWEEP this year, and bring your kids to show them conservation by example! You'll learn a lot, have a great time and give back to your community in a way that will really make a difference. Your kids will be able to see their contribution to the cleanup as part of the whole - which make a lasting impact on how your child will value their own effort.  You'll be cleaning up today's trash and helping to eliminate the same kind of trash ever making it to the beach in the future. Last but not least, you'll also have the chance to spend another great day at the beach!

Sports Camps, Speciality Camps, Day Camps in Danvers MA

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

 Maudslay in Bloom self guided walk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts.
Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, Massachusetts, offers a delightful self-guided walk that is perfect for families with children. The park's 480-acre expanse, once the Moseley Estate, is rich with historical charm and natural beauty. Families can embark on a self-guided tour through lush...
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

Swan Boat Boston North Shore Parent, North Shore Parents Summer Activities Guide
The Public Garden may be one of the most ideal picnicking locations in Boston. Well-groomed and overflowing with tulips, cherry-trees, with willows cascading over the duck pond, the Boston Public Garden is a great place to relax during Boston's most beautiful season.
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Music Together - Friday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45 minutes...
10:30 am to 11:15 am

Marblehead Junior Class Carnival

The Marblehead Carnival is a fundraiser for the Marblehead High School junior class in Massachusetts!
Come join the annual Marblehead Carnival sponsored by Junior Class at Devereaux Beach. Each year this carnival serves as a major fundraiser.  You'll find rides, games, and great food!
6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Saturday, May 10

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

The Second Saturday in May is the day to help stamp out hunger! Be the Change...
Participate in the Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive, an impactful initiative recognized as the largest one-day food drive in the country. This program offers residents a simple and convenient method to contribute food to those facing food insecurity. All you have to do is place your donation of non-...
7:00 am to 5:00 pm

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

 Maudslay in Bloom self guided walk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts.
Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, Massachusetts, offers a delightful self-guided walk that is perfect for families with children. The park's 480-acre expanse, once the Moseley Estate, is rich with historical charm and natural beauty. Families can embark on a self-guided tour through lush...
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

ECTA Spring for the Trails

Annual Spring for the Trails Essex County Trail Association ECTAat Willowdale State Forest in Ipswich Massachusetts
Join ECTA for the 11th Annual Spring for the Trails on Saturday, May 10th! The race begins at 8:00 AM sharp on the beautiful trails, both single and double track, of Willowdale State Forest. This course is 100% on trails!
8:00 am

Tulip Festival at Cider Hill Farm

Come cut your own tulips at Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury Massachusetts
A gorgeous, fan-favorite variety of 100k tulips are scheduled to bloom in early May. Welcome spring with this multi-weekend festival featuring free live music, self-guided blooming orchard walks, outdoor hard cider bars, food trucks, fitness n' family activities and cut-your-tulips. General...
8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Annual Long Hill Plant Sale

The Trustees of Reservations Long Hill Plant Sale - a North Shore tradition in Beverly Massachusetts
The Trustees of Reservations invites you to Long Hill and Sedgwick Gardens for their annual Long Hill Plant Sale. Enjoy this local tradition in it's 32nd year! Look through a wide selection of plants, from old favorites to rare and unusual species all grown here at Long Hill.
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Beverly Library Spring Book Sale

Beverly Library in Massachusetts hosts hosts their annual book sale and fundraiser. Image is AI generated.
Our annual Friends' Spring Book Sale takes place daily at the main library from Saturday, Saturday May 10 through May 17. The sale will be open daily during regular library hours: Mon.-Thurs., 9AM-9PM; Fri.
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Music Together - Saturday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45 minutes...
9:15 am to 11:15 am

Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

Swan Boat Boston North Shore Parent, North Shore Parents Summer Activities Guide
The Public Garden may be one of the most ideal picnicking locations in Boston. Well-groomed and overflowing with tulips, cherry-trees, with willows cascading over the duck pond, the Boston Public Garden is a great place to relax during Boston's most beautiful season.
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

2025 Salem Living Green Expo

Salem Living Green Expo at Derby Square in Salem Massachusetts
The Salem Chamber of Commerce and City of Salem Department of Sustainability and Resiliency are collaborating to co-host a Living Green Expo downtown! Come explore the Living Green Expo at Old Town Hall on Sat, May 10th (10AM - 1PM)!! Lots of great North Shore businesses and community organizations...
10:00 am to 1:00 pm