We found these ZAPsters from the original ZAP day in 1972.
Look at the memories they have from that day
MEG: worked with a group in downtown Pawtucket.
I remember pulling many different colored spools of thread left in the river from the textile industry. Unforgettable experience of camaraderie that encouraged environmental activities for a lifetime!
CINDY: Quinville, Lincoln
A small group of us were at LHS at the time and decided to do Project Zap. Everyone that volunteered had an area along the river bank and a leader. The smell of the river comes to mind (and the stinging eyes from it), as well as the oily sludge that came up when anyone removed something close to the water. We were told not to touch or go in the water without permission and gloves because it was dangerous. It was NOTHING like it is today, thankfully!! We removed everything from hubcaps, (I heard someone found a car that day, but never saw it) to a dead dog that day. The bank was just loaded with things like pieces of rusted metal that was tangled in vines that had to be cut in order to remove the objects. There was plenty of assorted litter (paper, cans, etc.) and other debris and it took quite a long time to remove it.
JIM: Pawtucket near the floating Youth Center boat.
Long, tiring, wonderful day lugging tires, appliances, wooden pallets..etc. out of the muck. So badly soiled had to throw away my clothes when I finally got home!
True sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.
JOHN: Cold Spring Park
I was a Boy Scout with Woonsocket Troop 1 from Our lady of Victories Church (OLV). We were asked to participate as a community project. Our troop spent the day along the banks of the Blackstone picking trash & debris out of the river. I remember falling in and getting stuck in the muck up to my knees and my buddies having to pull me out. I came out but my sneakers didn’t. After we were done working, we were all dirty, tired and sore but felt rewarded for being part of such a great event.
Up until a few years ago, I still had the certificate that they handed out in a desk file draw, wish I had kept it.
CHARLENE: Manville
I was 12 years old when I participated in Project ZAP in 1972 and that day continues to be one of my fondest childhood memories.
We used to walk along the Blackstone River and the railroad tracks in Manville as kids and wished we could go fishing and swimming but knew by the smell and debris that it was very polluted and unsafe. I remember being very excited about the opportunity to participate in helping with the clean up. I went down to the river with some neighbors and we worked very hard all day pulling all kinds of things out of the river and off it’s banks. We accomplished a lot that day and it felt great working with friends and neighbors on a project that would be the start of cleaning up the Blackstone river.
Today, I enjoy kayaking and biking along the river and hope someday it will be clean enough for swimming! I’m looking forward to helping out again soon with ZAP 50.
MICHAEL: worked across from Standard Romper.
Endless amounts of tires. There was an old tire store on the river’s bank. I guess they just threw the old tires into the river. I think we pulled hundreds of them from the riverbed.
Music memory: Pete Seeger was the Headliner. A group maybe called The Fabulous Flying Egg Brothers?
It was a wonderful thing to participate in. It was amazing how much was pulled from the river that day and humbling to be a part of the collective effort to make a difference in my hometown. I saw a picture of me on Facebook asking if anyone knew the guy in the picture. Very strange! Glad to see Zap back for a new generation!
RUSSELL: worked near City Hall.
During the summer of 72 I worked for BVCAP CEADER Program. my job was to lead a crew of other teenagers to walk from Pawtucket to Woonsocket mapping out all of the factories and places that were dumping into the river. I worked closely with David Rosser and remember him well. One of the best experiences I had. Remember it all fondly.
But there might be a picture of a kid in a wet suit that would be me.
SUZANNE:
Her Certificate of Merit for participating on that day.
TOM: worked in Woonsocket.
It’s been awhile, but I do remember feeling strongly that something bold had to be done, and hoped this would be it. I had just turned 19, and went to the riverbank and just pitched in for the full day. It was both exhausting and exhilarating! By day’s end, we could see that we had made a difference. 50 years later, I tell my kids “You have no idea how much boomers have done to repair the river!” They get to enjoy the fruits of our labors, and I’m happy about that!
FRANK:
Blackstone Valley Electric Company engineer & team leader
Helmet worn day of the event.
GLEN:
I had a lot of fun. I knew Mrs. Thomas well she sent me all over to help I put a lot of miles on my bicycle that day and because I was good at heavy lifting.
I met Pete Seeger and got to talk to him for a few minutes.
ANDRIA: Not assigned to a specific group, but general clean up in the area across from the Slater Mill.
It was so much fun! As a Pawtucket native, the community spirit was so invigorating. One of the local radio stations broadcast live throughout the entire day. As a 14-year-old, that was certainly pretty exciting for me! It was also amazing to witness the incredible turnout of volunteers. The shared common purpose and pride in our community was clear on everyone’s smiling faces. As a Pawtucket native, it simply felt good to take part in this event.
Andria’s photos from the day:
ROBERT: I worked along the bank across from the Slater Mill.
I was only 12, and went with an older neighbor. I remember the river banks were full of people, and heavy equipment – people in the water attaching lines to bulk waste. Dump trucks driving everywhere and a very happy atmosphere. It made people happy to come together as a group to clean downtown Pawtucket.
Robert is a community captain for Burrillville this year!!
MARCEL:
Was an original member of Zap in 1972, and would like to volunteer in the Cumberland area. In 1972, we did not have cell phones, as a member of a Citizens Band radio club, I assisted in providing ongoing communication during the event in 72.
TIM:
In Jr. High (now Middle) School, Jenks in Pawtucket, we did a photo documentary of the day which we later presented to the whole school. On the evening of the clean-up there was a free concert in Woonsocket, the Egg Brothers opened for Pete Seeger.
ALAN: Worked on the Blackstone River and Canal in Manville.
I was involved in several ZAP projects over the years. The first one in 1972. The fourth one on April 21, 1990. I do not remember if I was at the second or the third one or even one after the fourth one. I have been to so many of the cleanup days over the years they have blended together.
The one thing I do remember about the first one is that I participated as part of the Boy Scouts Troop 1 Manville. There was lots of big trash that was removed with heavy equipment. Some of the equipment was provided by the National Guard as I recall. We pulled lots of tires and stuff out of the canal and river. The worst was a dead dog the blew up to the size of a cow. We worked hard but had a lot of fun. I grew up on the river and it was nice to see so many people helping to clean it up.
JEFF: Woonsocket
My late father told me that he was, as a member of the National Guard, on a helicopter flying down the valley, over the river, during the first ZAP! I’ve since done a few cleanup over the years.
JIM: Cumberland
ZAPPED in 1972. Long, difficult, rewarding day then! Pulled tires, TV’s, furniture etc. out of mucky filthy river. Has to throw out every article of clothing. So pleased to see great improvement at ZAP50! Let’s keep the momentum going.
JONATHAN:
I did the first one. I was 14. It was a big deal for everyone to chip in and save America’s hardest working river!
BERGER RECYCLING – Pawtucket
Berger sponsored Operation ZAP in 1972 and now are sponsoring again at ZAP 50!
Here is what they remember from that day:
50 years ago seems like a lifetime. If I remember correctly we provided a truck to collect recyclable metal and paper. I certainly remember how different things were in terms of the publics recognition of the value of clean air and water. When I was growing up in Pawtucket, like most towns and cities, we burned our trash and leaves. The town dump was set on fire every night, no landfill, just turn the trash into smoke and ashes. Textile mills used the Blackstone river as an open sewer. When their soapy wastewater, colored with dye, hit the falls along the river, multi colored soap bubbles, the size of a car, would float over route 95. We have come a long way.
