The spring cleanup event is put on by the Philadelphia Streets Department.
In honor of Philadelphia’s citywide annual spring cleanup event, various organizations in the River Wards are holding events on April 14, the day of the event, to do their part to keep their neighborhoods clean. The spring cleanup event is put on by the Philadelphia Streets Department.
The Fishtown Neighbors Association is asking volunteers to meet at Cedar Park at 10 a.m. on April 14. The FNA’s volunteers will clean the area bordered by Berks, Cedar, York, Aramingo and Girard for two hours. Afterward, volunteers are invited to a barbecue cookout at Philadelphia Brewing Company, which is sponsored by the New Kensington Community Development Corporation.
“NKCDC has been a really good partner in helping plan for the clean-up — Katsi [Miranda-Lozada, community engagement associate] from NKCDC, is helping coordinate the cleanup for us and other organizations in the River Wards,” said Monica King, chair of the FNA’s Beautification Committee. “They’re providing bags, tools, and telling the city about the trash drop-off points.”
According to King, the FNA is trying something different this year.
“FNA participates in the city-wide spring cleanup every year,” she said. “Traditionally we’ve met at the Rec Center and sent volunteers to Frankford Avenue and Girard Avenue. This year, we wanted to focus on a more residential area of Fishtown. But we’re also reaching out to the businesses in the area to get them to join us for the cleanup.”
In fact, NKCDC is holding a clean up of its own. Volunteers for the NKCDC cleanup will meet at Frankford Avenue and Somerset Street, and will also clean for two hours. Volunteers are also invited to the barbecue at Philadelphia Brewing Company. “You have to take pride in the place where you live and a clean space is a healthy space,” said Miranda-Lozada. “Not only is it physically healthy, but it’s healthy for your mindset and for your soul. It’s nice to walk around the neighborhood and see that somebody cares.”
NKCDC’s clean up event is one of two the organization does every year; the other one typically takes place in October.
Resident Manuel Sanchez, a representative from the Private Security Enforcement Association, will also be holding his own spring cleaning event on the same day, where residents will meet at 1919 E. Silver St. Sanchez’ cleanup is geared toward cleaning up surrounding streets and especially parks, where used needles can sometimes be left in places where children can get to them.
“That’s a summer spring cleaning that I do every year,” he said. “We keep the neighborhood clean and pick up the needles that the addicts leave behind and keep safe for the kids.”
Supplies, such as brooms, gloves, bags, shovels and rakes, will be provided at each of the events. There’s no need to sign up beforehand.
NOTE: Philly Spring Clean Up was originally scheduled for April 7, but was changed to April 14 due to inclement weather.
