The Friends of Pennypack Park cleanup committee wrapped up its 2013 schedule by removing 21 trash bags of debris, plus many large items from the woods in the area of Rhawn Street and Lexington Avenue on Nov. 23.
Thirty-seven volunteers braved the 40-degree temperature to canvas the park along portions of Lexington Avenue, Rhawn Street, Holmehurst Avenue and Winchester Avenue, as well as the park’s bike and dirt paths in the area and the Little City section.
Members of Girl Scout Brownies Troop 9135 and Cadets Troop 9744 helped the effort, including Julianne Lopez, Liz Lopez, Camryn Ryan and Salma Santos, with their parents Danielle Lopez, Carmela Santos and Jen Ryan, along with their dog mascot Gracie. Father Judge High School students Vincent Darmohray, Justin Darmohray, Joseph Tiernan, Daniel Tiernan and Gavin Young were joined by parents Joe Tiernan and Sandy Young. The St. Hubert High School group included Kate Darmohray and Hollyann Gremmel, while Haley Heiler represented Archbishop Ryan, along with her dad, Scott Heiler.
A former Fairmount Park ranger, Barry Bickel, joined the effort, as did the FOPP’s own lineup of volunteers, including Roland Williams, Leo Magazzu III, Kathleen Mulholland, Karen Kaczorek, Audrey Walmsley, Robert McMunn, Rich Glaser, Cindy Masiejczyk, Jim Ryan, Andrew Puzdrak, Kevin Sweetra, Bill Henderson, Joyce Ferraro, Florence Brodman and Nance Kerns. The Community Life Improvement Program, Fairmount Park rangers and 8th Police District provided support to the volunteers.
In addition to 21 bags of general trash, volunteers collected two bags of aluminum cans, a bottle of margarita mix, three tires, sofa and lounge chair cushions, lawn furniture, office furniture, two shovels, a welcome mat, a flashlight, a crushed recycling bucket, broken windows, two shot glasses, Christmas lights, an umbrella, a digital TV converter box, spray paint, paint supplies, a fleece blanket, a pair of basketball shorts, his and hers underwear, a Snuggie, a car muffler, a tent, a broken toy rifle, a Wiffle ball bat, a baseball, an FOP medallion, a pile of Northeast Times, a safe (that was returned to police) and five numbered rubber turtles.
The FOPP’s monthly park cleanup program will be on hiatus for the winter and resume on Saturday, March 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., weather permitting. Volunteers will meet at the ballfield on Holme Avenue behind Nazareth Hospital. Call 215–934-PARK or email to FOPPMonthlyCU@aol.com for information. ••
