Rock to Rock Earth Day Ride launches bike ad campaign

NEW HAVEN - Rock to Rock Earth Day Ride, one of the region’s largest environmental efforts, has launched a new advertising campaign heralding a day-long biking celebration April 25 for Earth Day (actual date April 22) and of New Haven’s environmental and cultural resources.

Riders gathered Monday outside City Hall on Church Street and exhibited signs being placed on bikes, bike carts and pedicabs emphasizing bicycling’s increasing role as a sustainable mode of transportation, organizers said in a release.

An expected 1,500 cyclists will travel between West Rock and East Rock April 25 in one of five rides: the 8-mile family-friendly ride; a 12-mile adult ride; the 20-mile ride; a 40-mile ride; and a metric century (60+ miles), all traveling through scenic and park-filled routes in the New Haven region with celebrations on both sides of the city, the release said. Along the way, there will be food, music, environmental challenges and service projects, and a chance to explore the city’s parks, the release said.

The goal for 2015 is to raise $200,000, organizers said.

In 2014, the ride raised more than $150,000 to support 26 local environmental organizations, signed up more than 1,000 riders, received donations from more than 500 individuals, and attracted more than 40 corporate and organizational sponsors. The funds raised annually support youth education, community gardens, city tree planting, environmental education, green policy work, local and healthy food projects, park improvements and more, the release said.

The group also will conduct a day of environmental service April 11.

For more details, call Rock to Rock at Common Ground at 203-389-4333.

New Haven Rock to Rock Day of Environmental Service this weekend

NEW HAVEN ­— The Rock to Rock Earth Day Ride will hold its second Day of Environmental Service at five sites around the city and one in Woodbridge from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 6.
Volunteers from across the region will gather to garden, clean, mulch, and green., according to a statement. Six Rock to Rock partners are hosting volunteer crews: Common Ground, :358 Springside Ave.;  New Haven Farms, 15 James St.; Friends of Edgewood Park, at Edgewood Park; Solar Youth, 53 Wayfarer St.; Farmington Canal Rail-Trail Association, prepping the trail for Spring and Summer; and Urban Resources Initiative, in a project that will have a crew will canvas a neighborhood need of trees, speaking to the residents. Also, Massaro Community Farm, 41 Ford Road Woodbridge.
“The Environmental Day of Service is a chance for Rock to Rock riders and friends to get to know the local organizations involved, meet other riders and volunteers, and improve the local environment,” the statement said. Register on-line at www.rocktorock.org.
The Rock to Rock Earth Day Ride, one of the region’s largest environmental events and fundraisers, to be held April 20 this year, is “a day-long celebration of Earth Day and New Haven’s rich environmental and cultural resources,” the statement said.
“The goals for 2013 are $150,000 raised and 1000 riders. In 2012, the Ride raised (more than) $100,000 to support 21 local environmental organizations, signed up over 750 riders, received donations from over 500 individuals, and attracted more than 40 corporate and organizational sponsors. The funds raised annually support youth education, community gardens, city tree planting, environmental education, green policy work, local and healthy food projects, park improvements, and much more.”
“Specifically, registration fees support the organizing partners who are making Rock to Rock run: Common Ground High School, New Haven/Leon Sister City Project, The Urban Resourc
es Initiative, CitySeed, and the nature centers run by the New Haven Parks Department.”

Also according the statement: “Pledges collected by riders can be designated to one or all of our participating partners: CitySeed, Inc., CT Folk, Common Ground, Connecticut Mental Health Foundation, Elm City Cycling, Farmington Canal Rail-to-Trail Association, Friends of Edgewood Park, Friends of Beaver Pond Park, the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network, New Haven Bioregional Group, New Haven Inner City Outings, The New Haven Land Trust, New Haven-Leon Sister City Project, New Haven Parks Department, Schooner Inc., Solar Youth, Student Conservation Association, The West River Watershed Partnership, and The Urban Resources Initiative or one of the organizing partners. All of these organizations share a commitment to helping New Haven residents explore and learn from the city’s parks, and all of these organizations are in need of additional resources to keep their important work strong and growing.”

 Editor's note: All information and the photo in this post were contributed.