With trail use reaching record highs this year, it is as important as ever for us to be responsible stewards of those trails and of the parks and natural areas that border them.
In 2017 and 2018, Rich and Andrew, who live in West Philadelphia, took it upon themselves to do weekly Saturday cleanups of the paved recreational path along a 1 mile stretch of Cobbs Creek Pkwy (Washington to Spruce)
In 2020 they extended the range from 1 mi to 4 mi (Woodland/Island Ave to Spruce St) and added the unpaved creek trails, but reduced the frequency from weekly to twice a month. They, with the help of many volunteers, get to each section of the park about once every 10 months. Which leaves the section messy for most of the year.
The 2021 goal is to recruit Cobbs Creek Ambassadors who will adopt a three block section for their own cleanups. This year, Temwa Wright (TemwaWright@gmail.com) volunteered to be the first Cobbs Creek Ambassador, adopting Catherine to Christian Streets. Her first day, she worked alone, but as people came up and asked if they could help she was able to recruit 27 volunteers (six are regular). Then, with a few tools from Rich, she instituted the Wednesday “Power Hour Cleanup”, from 8 to 9 a.m., at the Catherine St tennis courts. She uses a group text to stay in touch.
If interested in becoming a Cobbs Creek Ambassador, contact Rich at RichGuffanti@yahoo.com or text Andrew at 267-257-1910.
