By Bay City News



The mayors in two of the Bay Area's rival cities are urging residents to participate in a friendly civic competition to clean up neighborhoods and waterways next month.



Dubbed "The Battle for the Bay," the contest is a nod to the 30th anniversary of the 1989 World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland A's, which Oakland won in four straight games.



"San Francisco is known for being an environmental champion and we'll continue working to keep our city and environment clean and safe by working with the community and engaging volunteers year-round," San Francisco Mayor London Breed said in a news release.



The competition is part of the annual California Coastal Cleanup Day, during which volunteers around the state pick up trash, restore habitats and plant trees, among other things.



"Our community turns out by the thousands every year for Creek to Bay Day and this year I'm calling on thousands more to join us in every neighborhood as well," said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf.



Creek to Bay Day is the name of Oakland's Coastal Cleanup effort, which, according to the city's website, attracted 1,700 volunteers who cleared more than 250 cubic yards of invasive plants from creeks, parks and other locations around Oakland in 2018



The competition, which is scheduled for Sept. 21 from 9 a.m. to noon, will hinge on which city can recruit the most volunteers, collect the most trash and have the most creative projects.



More information about the effort is available at www.battleforthebay2019.org.





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