Earth Day Inspires Local Organizations to Think Spring… Cleaning

Our West Bayfront

Students from a Gannon University fraternity join fellow Gannon students, along with residents and volunteers during Our West Bayfront's annual spring cleanup.

As Erie's winter gives way to spring and the (thankfully, small amount) of snow melts away, we are left with a stark reminder that littering is alive and well. The remnants of the winter season always include a hefty amount of discarded detritus like cigarette butts, drink containers, and the unnameable, half-rotten debris of a season gone by. Earth Day just so happens to coincide with the beginning of spring — and so in the spirit of both Earth Day and spring cleaning, a number of local organizations plan to roll up their sleeves, and host their own public spring cleanup events.

Of course, one never needs a formal event to get out and help clean up our beaches, parks, sidewalks, or even just our own yards. But, if you need a little extra motivation to get out and do your part, please feel free to join in the following public cleanup events and help make sure our Gem City shines.

Sierra Club of Erie Annual Spring Cleanup - Saturday, Apr. 15

The Lake Erie Group of the Sierra Club, a national grassroots environmental organization, serves Erie, Clarion, Crawford, Forest, Venango, and Warren counties and oversees two environmentally important assets: Lake Erie and the Allegheny National Forest. The group (which is smallest in Pennsylvania in terms of membership) regularly sponsors events to keep its membership involved in the community. They will be hosting their 22nd annual spring cleanup, which will initiate at the Waterford Hotel parking lot at 9 a.m. (213 High St. Waterford) and, from there, disperse to the assigned cleaning areas. Gloves, garbage bags, and safety vests will be provided.

Frontier Improvement Association Spring Cleanup - Saturday, Apr. 15

If you live or recreate in or around the Frontier neighborhood, consider joining their neighborhood association and help clean up the streets, berms, boulevards, and parks from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

On Jan. 5, 1931, a group of property owners within Frontier Place chartered the Frontier Improvement Association to "provide for the proper care of the streets, avenues and roads, shrubbery, public places … and to promote the common good of the residents and owners of said lots and to improve the use and enjoyment thereof within the subdivision known as the Frontier Place Subdivision." The Frontier Improvement Association is continuing on this historic mission with their spring cleanup and can use any and all help.

Spring Cleanup at the Battles Farmhouses - Apr. 16, 17, and 18  Due to predicted inclement weather this event has been moved to Apr. 25, 26, and 27

The Erie County Historical Society and Hagen History Center are hosting their annual Spring Cleanup at the Battles Farmhouse properties in Girard, Pa. The properties at 306 and 436 Walnut St. sit on more than 130 acres of farmland, including nearly a mile of public walking trails and it will all need to be de-littered. Additionally, the History Center is accepting volunteers to help refresh the Battles buildings. Project Manager Pam Parker adds, "Staff and volunteers will be scraping, painting, and landscaping for three days. We will provide free lunch to volunteers. To sign up, please email Adam Macrino amacrino@eriehistory.org with the day you will be available."

Our West Bayfront Spring Cleanup - Saturday, Apr. 22

Each year, Our West Bayfront employees and volunteers, citizens of the neighborhood, and students and staff from Gannon University team up to hit the streets and public parks comprising the West Bayfront to pick up trash and ready the neighborhood for spring. Anna Franz, executive director of Our West Bayfront comments, "The Our West Bayfront Spring Cleanup is held every year in conjunction with Gannon University's Day of Caring. It's a great morning of students working alongside residents to deal with some of the litter and debris that has accumulated over the winter. It's really nice to see neighbors getting together after what is usually (but perhaps less this year) a long cold winter. People are happy to be out, getting something done in the neighborhood!" Volunteers should meet at Gridley Park on West Sixth and Poplar streets from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. to obtain directions, a trash bag, and gloves.

Erie Downtown Partnership Spring Cleanup - Saturday, Apr. 22

Cleaning up the city should inevitably include the downtown corridor, and the folks at Erie Downtown Partnership (EDP) are partnering with Gannon University student volunteers for their Day of Caring to help gather up trash in the areas closest to their campus. Interested community volunteers should meet at the EDP's offices at 140 E. Fifth St at 9 a.m. for supplies (the event concludes at 12 p.m.). The cleanup will focus on the downtown areas of the Bayfront as well as the 10th Street corridor. Additionally, the EDP and the City of Erie will be hosting a ceremonial volunteer tree planting in Perry Square for Arbor Day on Saturday, April 29 at 12 p.m.

Presque Isle's 62nd Spring Cleanup - Saturday, Apr. 28

This annual event draws hundreds of volunteers to help clean up our most important natural resource in Erie: the beaches of Presque Isle State Park. Organized by the S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie, Presque Isle Partnership, The Great Pennsylvania Clean-Up, and PA-DCNR staff, this 62nd annual Spring Clean-Up is sure to help make a difference for the health of our beaches and waterways. Meet at the Rotary Pavilion between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. to sign-in, receive bags, gloves, and an assigned location for cleaning up. Lunch will be served for all participants from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Erin Phillips can be reached at erin@eriereader.com