Jamaica Bay Community Cleanup & Kayak

Saturday, August 7, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
RISE Center, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Blvd

Join RISE for a clean up and paddle day along Jamaica Bay. Local residents and children of all ages are encouraged to participate in this stewardship event.

There will be a limited number of kayaks for the public to use at no cost. Kayaks will be assigned on a first-come first-served basis to those who participate in the clean up. Participants are required to sign waiver on the day of the event. Children under 16 must have a parent present to sign their waiver. 

Masks are required and safe social distancing must be maintained.

Special thanks to the National Parks Conservation Association, NYS DEC, and Patagonia for sponsoring this event.

International Coastal Cleanup

Saturday, September 18, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Meet at Beach 59th St and the Boardwalk

Join RISE for the annual International Coastal Cleanup in partnership with the American Littoral Society. People of all ages are encouraged to participate. All trash collected at this event will be entered into the national database, which goes to help establish legislation to reduce trash along our shores. Students can receive community service hours for their efforts.

Masks are required and safe social distancing must be maintained. Registration is not required. This event is hosted rain or shine! 

Special thanks to Patagonia for sponsoring this event. 

Fall Foraging Tour w. Wildman Steve Brill

Saturday, October 16, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Meet at Beach 59th St and Rockaway Freeway

This fall, RISE will be hosting a tour with America's go-to foraging team, "Wildman" Steve Brill and his daughter Violet. The vastly under appreciated natural habitat of the Rockaways offers all the best wild foods of the seashore.

The sandy soil of the Rockaways is poor, limiting tree- and grass growth, but benefiting other species that can take advantage of the unblocked sun and nutrient-poor soil. Wild greens will be doing great here, and there are dozens of species that thrive. Field garlic is a very tasty relative of onions and garlic. 

Masks are required and safe social distancing must be maintained. 

This event is free but advance registration is required. This event is rain or shine.

Rockaway Thanksgiving Feast

Saturday, November 20, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Beach 59th St and Rockaway Freeway

Masks are required and safe social distancing must be maintained. Due to health and safety concerns RISE will be handing out pre-packaged to go containers with your Thanksgiving meal. There will not be a sit down meal this year.

RISE invites you to join us for a special Thanksgiving giveaway to give thanks and celebrate our amazing community of friends, family, and neighbors. The meal is FREE to all, but attendees must register in advance for every person. The meal will include all the Thanksgiving favorites prepared by local Rockaway partners:

• Cuisine By Claudette
• Goody's Chicken & Rib
• La Cevicheria
• Rockaway Beach Bakery
• Rockaway Food Initiative at Rockaway Brewing Company

Special thanks to L+M Development Partners and Levitt Foundation for making this event possible.