Borough Readies for Spring Clean 2013

Volunteers in Chatham Borough are getting ready for their first official town-wide beautification day Saturday.

The event, called Spring Clean '13, is modeled after neighboring Madison's May Day. It is being sponsored by Chatham Borough's Environmental Commission and the Town & Country Garden Club.

"It is the Garden Club's desire, with this first-time event, to enhance community pride, volunteerism [and] education," according to a press release by Janice Piccolo of Chatham Borough.

The Garden Club is partnering with the borough's Department of Public Works and Environmental Commission to plan and develop the event, but now, organizers say, they need volunteers to come help.

The focus for the event is on the downtown area and on local walking trails. Anyone interested in working downtown should meet at the Reasoner Park gazebo. Those interested in cleaning up trails can meet at Stanley Park on River Road or at Shepard Kollock Park off Parrot Mill Road.

The event begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. Volunteers should bring gloves, shovels and gardening tools.

The first 200 volunteers will receive a free T-shirt, which was designed by a student from Lafayette Avenue School.

To register for this family-friendly event, contact Janice Piccolo at (973) 635-0674 ext. 200 or via email at jpiccolo@chathamborough.

Spring Clean '13 is funded through public donations from residents, local businesses and friends of the community.