By Mollie Flowe
Many thanks to the volunteers who came out on Earth Day, Saturday April 22, for our neighborhood Clean-Up-Palooza Beautification Extravaganza. Extra special thanks to Julia Borbely-Brown, who organized the multi-pronged event and sponsored the Triangle E-cycling collection and Jerry Reese‘s transport of hazardous materials.
Two truckloads of hazardous waste and recyclable textiles were collected and disposed of appropriately. Triangle E-cycling picked up all donated electronics to use for parts and training. Neighbors also collected trash from several neighborhood blocks. A shout out to Pam W., who picked up 4 pounds of trash on Gregson Street!
In the Ellerbe Creek Pearl Mill Reserve, a group of neighbors planted natives in the meadow area, while others removed invasives and collected trash.
From Donna Myers of Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association: “Thank you for coordinating this event! It was a great success for ECWA as we got plants into the Pearl Mill meadow, and removed a lot of invasive species and trash from the preserve and creek.”
Students from the Riverside High School National Technical Honor Society pulled a rusted bicycle from the creek, among other goodies. A neighbor named Lucas found a monitor embedded in the creek bank. It was fun to have several kids and parents participating—thank you to these young citizens!
Thank you all for taking care of the neighborhood on Earth Day. If you are interested in adopting a litter collection route or keeping a neighborhood drain clear, please send a note to Julia Borbely-Brown at juliaborbelybrown@yahoo.com
Mark your calendar: Our next neighborhood clean-up at the Pearl Mill Preserve will be Saturday, Oct 7, 9:00-11:30 am
