Many Hands Make Light Work: Thank You to The Greene School, Citizens Bank, and Brown University Volunteers

The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council is incredibly grateful to the 120 volunteers who joined us this June to help care for the newly completed Promenade Street and Kinsley Avenue section of the Woonasquatucket River Greenway.

On June 3, 40 students from The Greene School rolled up their sleeves and got to work alongside our River Ranger team, helping paint railings and pick up litter along this exciting new stretch of Greenway.

A week later, on June 10, 60 volunteers from Citizens Bank and 20 staff members from Brown University joined the effort, bringing even more energy and helping hands to the project.

Together, these volunteers accomplished an incredible amount in just a few hours. Freshly painted railings, cleaner riverbank and trail, and a more welcoming Greenway are all the result of community members stepping up to care for a shared public space.

As a statewide public charter high school, The Greene School explores the interdependence of human and natural systems and develops students who are engaged in finding sustainable solutions to local and global challenges. We were thrilled to see those values in action.

The support from Citizens Bank and Brown University was equally inspiring. Their volunteers brought enthusiasm, teamwork, and a willingness to get their hands dirty for a great cause. We can’t thank you all enough.

Of course, none of these volunteer days would have been possible without the leadership of our phenomenal River Ranger team. As WRWC’s Greenway maintenance crew, the Rangers work year-round to keep the Woonasquatucket River Greenway clean, safe, and welcoming. From organizing projects and preparing materials to guiding volunteers throughout the day, they are truly the backbone of this work.

Whether painting railings, picking up litter, or simply showing up ready to help, every volunteer made a lasting contribution.

To the students of The Greene School, the volunteers from Citizens Bank, the staff from Brown University, and our dedicated River Rangers: thank you for helping keep the Greenway clean, green, and welcoming for all.