Creek Cleanup in Riverton

I really thought today was going to be a great day. Being the day before the 4th of July, and all of the festivities that Riverton hosts for the holiday, I had scheduled a PCWA-hosted work session at Riverton Memorial Park.  This was the third year for the pre-holiday cleanup at this site, and I had high hopes for lots of volunteers. The date was listed in both the events and announcements on the Patch, and I had put signs up at the park 2 weeks ago to let people know about the session.

I was relieved when the rain went away, and headed off to the park for the 11:00AM start. I was very happy to see Mark J. when he arrived. He's a Riverton resident, and a member of the PCWA, and is one of those people who picks up litter all the time, not just when there's a scheduled cleanup. It's a good thing that he showed up - he was the only volunteer besides me!

While I was thrilled that Mark was there, I was incredibly disappointed in the rest of the world. No one else from the general membership of the PCWA was there, and no one from the board of trustees came out. Every time I go to the park, I see dozens of people there, with their children, making use of the playground and the ball fields. From my house in East Riverton, I can hear people walking on the trails along the creek. Where were these people? Why were they not out helping to clear the trails and get the park spruced up for tomorrow? Where were the people who complain about trash in the park? 

The only phone call I got prior to today concerning the cleanup was from a man who works for the borough of Riverton's DPW- he called to tell me that Monday is the 4th and the town wouldn't want us (the PCWA/volunteers) making a mess before the holiday. I had to assure him that "cleanup" meant precisely that - we were trying to get rid of trash and clear the paths, so that the park would be at its most attractive and hospitable for the visitors tomorrow. If he was so concerned, where was he today?

And not just the DPW guy - not one politician, not one borough or township administrator, not one member of the environmental commission in Riverton, or the environmental committee in Cinnaminson, not one parent who brings children to the park, not one athlete who plays on the fields, NOT ONE! There was one person from the 4th of July committee who stopped by - but only to make sure that I knew that the festivities were scheduled for tomorrow, not today.

I try to do what I can to help keep my little part of the planet neat and tidy. I'm part of the watershed association, but I don't just talk about what should be done- I get out and do what I can. I don't ask people to do anything that I'm not willing to do myself. I don't even live in Riverton, but since I make use of the park, and because the creek is all that separates my property from the park, I host this work session, and pick up trash if I see it when I visit.

So tomorrow, if you go to the Riverton Park for any of the festivities, take a look around. You have Mark J to thank for the massive amount of litter and trash he picked up from the trails, and if you walk along one of the paths to look at the creek, you're welcome. I was at the park for hours today, making sure the rest of the public would be able to enjoy the views of the creek. (You'll have to ask me about the birds and animals that can be seen - someone ripped out and trashed the informational sign that I had put up a month ago.

I try to be optimistic about the environment, and about the future, and what the planet will be like for my grandchildren and great grandchildren. However, days like today worry me - isn't there anyone out there who cares even just a little bit?