Culture & Community | Environment | Arts & Culture | Youth Arts Journalism Initiative | New Haven Climate Movement
Longtime participants Allie Perry and Ginger Chapman. Abiba Biao Photos.
Allie Perry and Ginger Chapman have been avid supporters of Rock to Rock, making time every April for the annual cycling event since its humble beginnings at Common Ground High School. This year proved no exception with the pair returning for the 14th annual Earth Day ride.
Perry, who completed the 24 mile route, raved about the annual event where people register to ride or hike a trail of their choice and the proceeds aid a local environmental nonprofit. Participants ranged from kids to seniors, who were supporting New Haven nonprofits on wheels or on foot.
Perry said the event is s one of New Haven’s “best community events” because of its inclusivity. She’s participated in many bike rides in prior years and says that the “festivity” of the event always draws her back in.
Chapman on the other hand said she prefers to walk the trail along the base of East Rock, taking time to enjoy the scenery. She described East and West Rock as “big loving rock arms that hold onto us [New Haven].”
Perry and Chapman supported the New Haven Leon Sister City Project out of admiration for the organizations’ work, donating from their shared values in environmentalism.
Vedran Mehinovic and Christine Coogle.
In contrast to Rock to Rock veterans like Perry and Chapman, there were also newcomers like Vedran Mehinovic and Christine Coogle.
Coogle traced her interest in Rock to Rock back to a friend who pushed her to do the longest route, the metric century, which is 66 miles. Coogle said the route was a “good challenge” as she has previously only biked up to 40 miles.
“I just moved here this year and so it's been great to explore the area a lot better than I would’ve if I hadn't been cycling,” Coogle said.
Mehinovic saw a poster about the event and decided to take on the challenge, going so far as to get better bike equipment and step up his biking habits in an effort to be ready.
“I like the emphasis on physical fitness, going outside, and speed,” he said, reflecting on his favorite parts of the event.
New Haven Climate Movement members Kawtar Nadama and Young In Kim holding up signs reading “slow down.”
Kawtar Nadama and Young In Kim of the New Haven Climate Movement (NHCM) were stationed at the children’s bike route holding up signs to promote bike safety.
When Nadama and Kim weren’t yelling “Slow down at the curve!” to oncoming bikers, they were tabling at the East Rock Park Green Fair alongside other environmental organizations like Haven’s Harvest, New Haven Coalition for Active Transportation, and Urban Resources Initiative. The two members took turns informing passerbys about the impacts of climate change, NHCM initiatives and ways to get involved.
Tusker Pickett and Anna Ruth Pickett at Saturday's event.
Concluding the Green Fair and bike rides, event organizer Anna Ruth Pickett highlighted the impact Rock to Rock plays on environmental justice in New Haven.
“This is a community event that brings together so many people doing environmental work and it benefits them,” said Pickett, who closed out the Green Fair and bike ride with a speech where she highlighted the impact of Rock to Rock. “But it also brings together hundreds of people who care about the environment.”
Pickett, who works for Urban Resources Initiative, said this year’s event raised $160,314 from a mix of sponsorships, registration fees, and peer-to-peer fundraising from participants which made up the bulk of the accrued donations.
Paul Proulx, Tusker Pickett, Anna Ruth Pickett, and volunteer Jenn Richburg.
One thing she enjoys about Rock to Rock besides seeing locals enjoy the “natural beauty throughout the region” is the planning behind the event and working with environmental organizations.
“We start planning this in December and we meet monthly with 20+ nonprofit leaders who collaborate on this event,” Pickett said.
Pickett doesn’t organize this community event by herself. This year, she and had help from fellow organizers including bike enthusiast Paul Proulx who organizes the routes, recruits and trains volunteers and hangs up signs and decorations.
“I’m so grateful that we had such wonderful turnout and weather and great organizing team,” Pickett said, while gesturing to Proulx who was standing across from her.
As for goals for next year, Pickett had only one thing to say: “We beat our goal this year of $150,000. I’d like to maybe see if we can go up to $200,000 next year.”
This piece comes to the Arts Paper through the fifth annual Youth Arts Journalism Initiative (YAJI), a program of the Arts Council of Greater New Haven. Read more about the program here or by checking out the "YAJI" tag. Abiba Biao is a senior at Achievement First Amistad High School.