Date: April 23rd, 12pm
Place: Parkview Island Park, 73rd St & Dickens Ave

The beauty of Miami Beach is impossible to deny – with it’s clear, blue waters, soft sand beaches and tropical weather, it’s not hard to see why we’re the envy of so many of our friends up north. But are we all doing our part to make sure Miami Beach stays this beautiful for years to come? A group of activists backed by a local North Beach business are making it their mission to keep Miami Beach clean, and urging locals to get involved.

Waterway at 73rd and Dickens Ave

Michael DeFillipi runs ‘Clean Up Miami Beach’, a public Facebook group, which he started a few years ago, when he noticed, “all of our shorelines were saturated with trash.” Just recently, one of DeFillipi’s Facebook posts went viral; a photo he took of South Beach showing the aftermath of spring break visitors was shared more than 32,000 times. The picture depicts a crowded beach, with hundreds of college students congregating. Strewn all throughout the sand are innumerable aluminum cans, glass alcohol bottles, cigarette butts, empty food containers and more.

This image brought to light the magnitude of the situation and along with Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Grieco, volunteercleanup.org and the Miami Beach Rotary Club, DeFillipi organized a clean up of South Beach – Watch the video. His Facebook group, which boasts over 2,750 members, has an active community, frequently posting about environmental issues affecting Miami Beach.

On April 23, in celebration of Earth Day, North Beach real estate and property management company, Urban Resource, is giving back to their community by sponsoring a North Beach Clean Up event. Working together with DeFillipi, they are hoping local residents will get involved with this important cause. DeFillipi says the day will aim to “provide some relief to our mangrove area from trash and plastic pollution.”

President of Urban Resource, Daniel Veitia adds, “With so many natural resources right here in North Beach, we can’t take what we have for granted and understand the need to get involved and do our part. With the growing population and demands on our community, you can see the impact on our environment. We are excited to host this clean up event and look forward to seeing everyone out there.”

Located at 1193 71st Street in North Beach, Urban Resource specializes in the buying, selling, and managing of apartment buildings. Currently, the firm manages over 2,000 apartments throughout Miami Beach, with majority in North Beach. As urban pioneers in the community, they are thrilled to see the increasing amount of attention focused on North Beach.

Miami Beach Commissioner John Elizabeth Alemán will be attending the event.

“I’m excited to be part of the upcoming North Beach Cleanup, celebrating Earth Day weekend in Miami Beach.  I hope that this event not only brings attention to the issue of trash polluting our waterways, and the need for each of us individually to take care of the environment around us, but also brings light to the City’s commitment to the beautification and vitalization of North Beach.”

The event will work as a supplement effort to the City of Miami Beach’s new anti-litter campaign, Keep Miami Beach Clean AF (and fit)! Organizers are encouraging volunteers to document the day using the campaign’s social media hashtag #KEEPMBCLEAN.

Volunteers will meet at Parkview Island Park, just before noon, in order to sign in. Located at 73rd Street and Dickens Avenue, this area will be home to a public kayak launch site later this year, as part of the Blueways Master Plan. Led by the City’s Parks and Recreation Department, the plan aims to further connect Miami Beach residents with the water. Half a dozen areas in North Beach have been chosen as potential sites to benefit from this initiative, which will see the creation of pedestrian/bicycle connections, breakwater elements, seawall alternatives, boat docks and kayak/SUP launches. The upcoming clean up is taking place at the perfect time, as exposure is being brought to North Beach parks, open spaces and waterways.

Volunteers should wear sunscreen and, if possible, bring trash pickers and nets. Parking is available at a small lot at the intersection of 73^rd St and Dickens Ave. Free refreshments, giveaways, and two hours of community service will be offered for those volunteering in this event.

Want to learn more and get involved? Register in advance at: www.northbeachnews.com/register.php

Visit cleanupmiamibeach.com and join Michael’s group to stay up to date and interact with other Miami Beach locals passionate about keeping our beautiful city clean.