Local volunteers help clean up Pennypack Park

Youth drinking in the park is not a victimless crime: members of the Friends of Pennypack Park learned of the dangerous ramifications of that age-old nuisance on May 23 as they carried out their monthly park cleanup.

As the 19 volunteers scoured the Sandy Run area for debris, several met a dog-walker who told a very sad tale of a friend’s injured pet. The friend’s dog was apparently off his leash when he scurried into the woods, only to return to his owner bleeding profusely. Fortunately, the owner summoned medical help in time to treat the cut and save the animal. Upon closer inspection of the woods, the dog owner learned that his pet had been injured by broken glass at a beer party site.

The Friends of Pennypack Park routinely report beer party sites to police in hope that drinking in the woods will cease. They encourage everyone to call 911 immediately if they see kids drinking in the woods or setting up a party.

As for the trash, FOPP volunteers collected 23 bags of it, along with three bags of recyclable cans. The Streets Department sent a trash truck to the site to dispose of the bags. The Community Life Improvement Program also sent a crew to assist in the effort.

The volunteers included Dan Coonan, Roland Williams, Louise and Bruce Kopena, Dean Lynd, Alan Ostrow, Sondra Greenberg, Rich Glaser, Robert McMunn, Karen Kaczorek, Ken Lewis, Skip and Vicki Schempp, Joyce Ferraro, Bill Henderson, Ted Alber, George Scholl, Jim Smyth and Nance Kerns.

The next Pennypack cleanup will be on Saturday, June 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. All volunteers are welcome and will meet at the park entrance near Welsh Road and Cresco Avenue. Even if it’s hot, volunteers should wear long pants, comfortable shoes or boots with closed toes. They may want to wear long sleeves and use sunscreen and bug repellent. Those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The FOPP will supply tools, bags, water and snacks.

Call 215–934-PARK after 8:30 a.m. for cancellation information in case of bad weather. Contact the group via email at [email protected]. ••