Volunteers took part in two large-scale park cleanups in the Northeast last month involving sections of the Poquessing Creek and Pennypack parks.
On June 11, 16 volunteers joined five Philadelphia Water Department employees in removing 34 bags of litter and one bag of recyclable cans from the Torrey Woods section of the Poquessing, across Academy Road from Stephen Decatur Elementary School. The Friends of Poquessing Watershed organized the effort.
The workers included Hans Brolinson, Rich Glaser, Nancy Straus, Vladimir Erkaloy, Tony Gordon, Jeanne Kane, Bob Parmett, Stephanie Kelly, Bonnie Anderson, Stacy Anderson and six members of the Philippi family: Marge (who is president of the Parkwood Civic Association), Gina, Daniel, Olivia, Emily and Lucas. The PWD helpers were Charles Shaw, Keith Hackney, Jay Goode, Barry Pilosky and Jose Rodriguez.
It was Pennypack Park’s turn on June 25 as members of its friends group cleaned up the area around Welsh Road and Cresco Avenue. There, 23 volunteers removed 37 bags of trash and two bags of cans. Participants included Corinne Stobbe, Dean Lynd, Robert McMunn, Troy Kyles, Bill Erwin, Rhonesha Pack, Amir Johnson, Kalif Jones, Keenah Bonaparte, Armand Hayes, Alan Ostrow, Joyce Ferrero, Kevin Sweetra, Roland Williams, Alan Kaminsky, Tom Henry, Tim McAndrews, Katya Rebensky, Kathy Volack, Rich Glaser, Linda Davies, Charlie Troy and Nance Kerns.
The Pennypack group gave a special thanks to Frank Carberry for placing and maintaining trash cans along Rowland Avenue from Father Judge to Welsh Road, and along the park’s dirt path leading to Woodenbridge Run.
The next Friends of Pennypack cleanup will be on Saturday, July 23, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. All volunteers are welcome and will meet on Torresdale Avenue between Enfield Avenue and Rhawn Street, at the bike path entrance on the northbound side of Torresdale. Regardless of the temperature, workers should wear long pants and appropriate footwear. Sunscreen and bug spray are recommended. Those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The event is weather dependent. Call 215–934-PARK for last-minute cancellation information. ••
