March Madnesss

Steve Coleman, founder and director of Washington Parks and People once told me, "Backsliding is the kiss of death."

He was talking out illegal dumping and his experience leading the epic restoration of Watts Branch (AKA Marvin Gaye) Park in Ward 7. As important as it is to tackle trash that's been there for many years, he said, it's even more important to make sure that the areas that have already been cleaned stay clean. Undoing new dumping as soon as possible sends a message to the community that times have changed and the dumpers will not win.

With that in mind, the Saturday, March 12 clean-up focused in the vicinity of  249 Newcomb Street SE, where it seems an entire apartment- rugs, furniture, mattresses, clothes, shoes, food- was dumped in December.  

Fifteen Cub Scouts from Pack 1657 at First Baptist Church of Glenarden were there, as were stalwarts Ellen Williams, Jonathan Taylor, Erick Whitaker and John Leach.

We removed an estimated 2,000 pounds (one ton) of man-made crap from the woods.

April is going to be a huge month at Shepherd Parkway. Join us on Saturday, April 2 from 11 am to 2 pm for a special work day with students Georgetown University.  Meet at the grassy area opposite 439 Lebaum Street SE.

The following Saturday, April 9, is our regular Community Clean-Up from 11 to 1 at our usual meeting place at the corner of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X Avenues SE.

On Friday, April 22 U.S. Coast Guard personnel will be working from 8 am to noon at a sight to be
announced.

The grant finale will be the Anacostia Watershed Society Earth Day Clean-Up on Saturday, April 23 from 9am to noon, meeting at the corner of 2nd Street and Malcolm X Avenue SE.

For more information on any of these events, contact Nathan at nathanbharrington@gmail.com