Volunteers Clear 3,000 Pounds of Trash From Grassy Island
Scouts, city workers and local boaters cleaned the Norwalk island on Saturday, October 24, removing debris accumulated over nearly 50 years.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Safety
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On Saturday, October 24, Scouts, city workers and local boaters removed about 3,000 pounds of trash from Grassy Island in Norwalk, Conn. G&C Marine also filled in an old, open cistern at Campsite 3 that had held standing water and bred mosquitoes.
Why it matters
The cleanup targeted debris that had built up over nearly 50 years, and the removal of standing water addresses a mosquito breeding site on the island. Filling the cistern gives campers more usable space.
Organizers tallied about 3,000 pounds of debris removed from Grassy Island, including three dumpster bags and a 1,500-pound commercial tire. Volunteers reported many pop-top soda and beer cans, a style phased out by 1982.
The players
Dominik Dziejma
Dziejma is a member of Troop 222 who led the cleanup as his Eagle Scout project.
G&C Marine
G&C Marine is a local marine business that hauled away debris and filled the cistern at Campsite 3.
Jeff Mangels
Mangels is with the Harbor Management Commission, which shared the results in a thank-you letter to volunteers and partners.
The details
Dominik Dziejma of Troop 222 led the effort as an Eagle Scout project. Gary and Charley Wetmore of G&C Marine filled in the old cistern at Campsite 3 as part of the work.
Timeline
Saturday, October 24: Scouts, city workers and boaters clear Grassy Island.
Seasonal Patterns
Volunteers found many pop-top soda and beer cans, a design phased out in the late 1970s and no longer made by 1982. That legacy debris shows how long shoreline litter can persist on island sites.
Residents who use Grassy Island for camping or boating can expect more room at Campsite 3 now that the cistern is filled. Standing water that once bred mosquitoes has been removed, which reduces a local insect nuisance for visitors.
The takeaway
Routine volunteer cleanups can remove decades of accumulated debris and eliminate standing-water hazards, benefiting both visitors and nearby residents.
Further reading
For more on local hazards, see Safety coverage for Norwalk.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Norwalkcurrent.
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