County Organizing Park Cleanups

The county is looking for volunteers to participate in the first of three county park cleanup days starting in March and running through April.

“County residents, including quite a few young people, have played a substantial role in keeping our parks clean,” said Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio. “It’s very gratifying to see folks working together to keep our community green.”

The first cleanup day is scheduled for March 10 at Amico Island Park on Norman Avenue in Delran. Volunteers will learn about watersheds and collect litter and debris along the shoreline. The event is being held in association with AmeriCorps Week and the state Department of Environmental Protection Delaware River and Bay Blitz. The cleanup starts at 9 a.m. and lasts until noon.

All volunteers are encouraged to bring drinking water and wear long pants, long sleeves, long socks and sturdy close-toed shoes that can get muddy. Bags and gloves will be provided. Participants younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult, and letters documenting volunteer community service will be available to students. (Severe weather will cancel the event.)

Registration is required. Anyone interested in participating should contact the Clean Communities office at cleancomm@co.burlington.nj.us, or call 609-499-1001, ext. 266, and provide your name, address and phone number.

Last year, more than 300 residents helped clean up Burlington County parks by collecting 32,000 pounds of litter and debris.

Other cleanup days on the Clean Communities schedule include:

• Saturday, March 24, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Pennington Park and Newton’s Landing Trail on Creek Road in Delanco: Come out to help clean up litter along the Rancocas Creek shoreline at this 140-acre park. Meet in the parking lot to the right of the main entrance. Park information: co.burlington.nj.us/Pages/pages.aspx?cid=590

• Sunday, April 22 (Earth Day), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Amico Island Park, Norman Avenue, Delran: To Celebrate Earth Day, the county will hold conservation activities in multiple county parks. Volunteers will join in a cleanup along the park’s shoreline. (Registration for this event is through the Parks Department. Email parks@co.burlington.nj.us or call 609-265-5858. Volunteers should provide their name, address, phone and email. For an itinerary of Earth Day activities at each of the parks, visit co.burlington.nj.us/Parks.

Groups are also encouraged and invited to schedule a cleanup of Amico Island Park during low tide to clear the litter from the shoreline, brought in daily by the tides. County park rangers will meet organized parties and provide safety information, gloves, bags and removal of collected debris.