“We love it,” said Emma Holder of the Parkside Neighborhood Association, when asked if neighbors enjoyed wandering the neighborhood picking up litter.
Other Parksiders echoed Emma’s enthusiasm.
“It’s a great chance to meet neighbors you otherwise don’t get to see.”
PNA President Emma Holder and Sara Fleurant, Parkside civilan Community Policing Coordinator, near the clean-up map.
Parkside kicked-off this season’s clean-up days with over sixty neighbors. Bags and gloves were provided by the City, but neighbors provided the organizing and sweat-equity.
Other neighborhoods will have their clean-up days later this month or early in May. Munjoy Hill’s April Stools Day, hosted by Friends of the Eastern Promenade and the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization, will be Saturday, April 25th, from 9 a.m. to noon. Sponsors Fish & Bone and Pet Life will award $25 gift certificates to those who find one of the eight famous “Golden Turds.”
The West End clean-up day will be May 2nd, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Meeting location is Aurora Provisions. After the clean-up, the Clarion Hotel, 1230 Congress Street, will host a BBQ from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
“It’s good to help clean up all the liter that has accumulated during the winter,” said State Representative Ben Chipman, while cleaning up along Mellen Street.
Rep. Ben Chipman cleaning up Mellen Street.
“With Earth Day coming up, it’s good to keep the environment clean,” Rep. Chipman said.
“When trash is in the streets people are more likely to throw more trash into the street,” he added.
After the clean-up, Parkside neighbors will definitely notice a much cleaner neighborhood. Hopefully, everyone will help keep the streets clean.
The clean-up day was also a chance for the Neighborhood Association to promote other community events, such as their monthly Neighborhood Connection Night. This community dinner has attracted crowds of 75 or more even during the stormy winter months.
The Neighborhood Connection Night is held on the third Tuesday of every month, at 6 p.m., at Sacred Heart/St. Dominics Cathedral on the corner of Sherman and Mellen Streets.
The clean-up is an annual event. Contact the Parkside Neighborhood Association for more information on this and other community activities.
