08/27/2022 ZAP The Blackstone, 50th Anniversary
Saturday, August 27, 2022 from 8am-5pm
ZAP 50 is the 50th anniversary of the great cleanup of the Blackstone River in 1972. Over 10,000 people volunteered in Massachusetts and Rhode Island and pulled all sorts of trash, appliances, furniture, vehicles and even a school bus out of the Blackstone River and its banks.
The Blackstone River runs from Massachusetts to Rhode Island. We will concentrate our group's efforts in Grafton, where the mills were located and the surrounding watershed area that feeds into the Blackstone River. Today, we understand the river and the surrounding waterways are influenced by behaviors not just along the banks, but anywhere in the Blackstone Watershed. Help us exceed the original 10,000 volunteers and make another impact on the river that helped build Grafton.
Contact the coordinators for the Grafton area at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We will work with you and your cleanup team to assign an appropriate area and to make sure you are counted in the tally of volunteers.
On Saturday, August 27, 2022 between 8am and 5pm, pick up your bags at the Mill Villages Park in South Grafton along with instructions on where to call once you are done. The Grafton Department of Public Works will pick up the bags. Any large items you find, please refer to the instructions on how to flag them and let the DPW know of the location.
Were you involved with the original ZAP The Blackstone effort in 1972? We're interested in hearing your stories! Do you have questions not covered here or want to sign up your cleanup crew? Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will get back to you.
Thank you for your help as we zap the Blackstone once more.