Friends of Jupiter Beach keep it clean and dog-friendly
The monthly gatherings to collect trash on the beach reach a milestone next year.
Friends of Jupiter Beach started with one woman’s idea and today inspires a tight-knit community.
In 2024, the organization will mark 30 years.
What happened: The threat in 1994 of closing a stretch of beach to pets led the late Anita Lankler of Jupiter to rally her neighbors to preserve a space for dog lovers and non-dog lovers to enjoy in harmony.
The result must be beyond her wildest dreams: Jupiter is third on U.S. News and World Report’s list of best dog-friendly beaches.
“The thousands of people who visit the beach each year may not realize the volunteer drive, commitment and countless hours behind the scenes,” Mary Aguiar, the organization’s executive director and its only staff member, told Stet Palm Beach.
Flash forward: The magic happens when volunteers gather every month in a morning operation admirable for its precision.
Geoff Jones of Jupiter has served on the Friends board for 25 years. Geoff rises with the sun to make sure beach-clearers are equipped with grabbers, bags and gloves.- About 150 people meet under the shade of the breezy pavilion at Ocean Cay Park.- Volunteer cleanup captains split sections of the cleanup area from Juno Beach Pier north to Carlin Park. They lead groups to their assigned zones along the 2.5-mile cleanup area.
John Logan, a retired teacher and one of the original Friends, has served as a captain for 27 years.
“I have had people come to this beach cleanups from as far as Canada, as far south as Key West and as far west as Colorado,” he said.
By the numbers: A typical cleanup removes about 320 pounds of debris. - Since 2006 when the Friends started keeping records, they have collected 82,000 pounds of refuse from the sand, the sea grapes, the sidewalk, the State Road A1A roadside and Ocean Cay Park.
With enthusiasm sparked by the successful cleanup, neighbors connect, newcomers become rooted and the grassroots organization grows.
Beyond the monthly gatherings, Friends of Jupiter Beach takes responsibility for the everyday upkeep of the area.
That includes providing more than 400,000 dog waste bags annually;
recruiting ambassadors who remove trash each day;
and organizing youth and team-building cleanups throughout the year.
Volunteers give gifts of their time and money.
Most of Friends of Jupiter Beach’s budget comes from donors and sponsorships.
The Friends are now raising $33,000 to replace the 29 beachside racks that hold dog waste bags.
Longer-range goals include providing mats for wheelchairs and dogs to make their way across the hot summer sand to the ocean. Also, water filling stations to reduce single-use plastic bottles on the beach.
If you would like to join the next cleanup on Jan. 6, you can find more information at the organization’s website: www.friendsofjupiterbeach.org.