calendar icon April 21, 2024
clock icon 1pm – 4pm
map marker icon Recreation Pier

Join The Wharf community for our annual clean-up of the District's waterways on Sunday, April 21, 2024—the day before Earth Day.

Register for the cleanup on Eventbrite

We'll get kayaks from the Wharf Boathouse on Recreation Pier, collect trash from the waterways, then get together for an after-work happy hour.

Participants will be provided kayaks, paddles, life preservers, rubber gloves, and trash bags for collecting floating trash.

All proceeds from this event will go to local waterway preservation organizations.

This event is supported by Pacifico Preserves, Pacifico's philanthropic organization committed to protecting the outdoors and advocating for better access to adventure for all. All money raised from this event will be donated by The Wharf to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Event Schedule

1:00pm - Check-in begins at The Wharf Boathouse on Recreation Pier

1:30pm - Kayak kickoff - start paddling and collecting trash!

2:30pm - Last call to bring trash back to Recreation Pier, group photo

2:30pm-3:30pm - Group happy hour paddle party (Location at The Wharf to be announced)

Paddle Party

Following the trash collection, all participants in The Wharf Water Cleanup are invited to a Paddle Party from 2:30pm-3:30pm at a restaurant at The Wharf. We'll have light bites and a complimentary Pacifico beer for every participant. The location will be announced soon.

Details

  • Registration is required and costs $10 per person. All proceeds go to local waterway preservation organizations.
  • This event will take place rain or shine, except in extreme weather in which kayaks are prohibited from launching.
  • Entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable.
  • In the unlikely event of a cancellation, all proceeds will still be donated.
  • This event is open to participants aged 21+.
  • Participants are required to sign a waiver upon arrival and follow all safety requirements for kayaking.

About The Wharf Water Cleanup

Every year, The Wharf's amazing restaurants, shops, music venues, and special events bring millions of visitors directly to DC's waterways, so we take our environmental stewardship and water cleanliness very seriously. We created floating wetlands to collect water pollutants, we gather all our trash in sealed containers, and we even constructed giant cisterns to capture runoff before it reaches the river. However, our most visible impact on the waterways comes each year during our Washington Channel Water Cleanup.

When it rains, wood debris and trash are washed from shores throughout the region into the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers. The floating trash and debris are then pushed into the Washington Channel by the tide and wind, where they gather along the shore. All this debris harms the environment and aquatic life, damages piers and boat propellers, and is unsightly for everyone who lives, works, and recreates on the water.

Our community's annual cleanup efforts regularly remove multiple dumpsters full of wood, trash, and debris from the Washington Channel.

Come Play on the Potomac

The Wharf is your launchpad for all kinds of water activities—from leisure cruises and kayak tours to sailing lessons and paddleboarding, the Southwest Waterfront makes it easy to play on the river. Plus, our water taxi might just be the fastest way to get to Georgetown, Old Town Alexandria, or National Harbor.

Explore the Waterfront

Do It All on the Waterfront

Whether you like to be on the Potomac or prefer the sparkling views from land, The Wharf offers ample things to do and ways to enjoy the water. Dine in one of our fabulous restaurants. Browse our shops. Or join us during one of our festivals. Take a look at our upcoming events to plan your next visit.

Explore the Wharf