By Gregory Smith
PROVIDENCE, RI -- An estimated 1,800 volunteers fanned out on a cool and cloudy morning Saturday for a one-day cleanup and tree-planting operation to revivify the city.
Mayor Angel Taveras persuaded neighborhood groups to bring their varied projects together on what he billed as the first annual citywide Earth Day celebration. National Earth Day is Monday.
The aim, he said, "is to make a huge impact all across the city. It's a way to get more people engaged" by mounting a coordinated effort.
There were 37 cleanup and planting sites, according to mayoral spokeswoman Liz White.
In the afternoon there was a thank-you lunch with musical entertainment at the Temple to Music in Roger Williams Park.