Highlands coalition to host cleanup

LYNN – The Highlands Neighborhood Coalition, Ward 3 Neighborhood Association and several community organizations have scheduled a neighborhood clean up and Trash Barrel Exchange day on Saturday, May 10.The event will run from 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. with the trash barrel exchange happening at the Ingalls Elementary School on Essex Street between noon and 3 p.m. Residents may exchange any trash can for a free rodent-proof trash receptacle with a secure lid that complies with the city’s new trash ordinance.The clean up will begin at 8:30 a.m. and all participants will be provided with bags, gloves, brooms and shovels. Lunch will be served at noon, where families can meet and greet neighbors and community leaders and learn about recycling and creative ways to save money, help the environment and beautify the city.Other participating organizations include the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lynn, the Lynn Department of Public Works, Girls Inc.’s Hi Def Youth Project and the Food Project.The Highlands Coalition and the Food Project are also in the process of collaborating on a community garden at the Ford School on Hollingsworth Street.Similar to a successful farm located behind the Ingalls School, the Ford garden will not only provide much-needed greenery to an otherwise paved area of the school grounds, but will also serve as a community resource, providing food for the annual farmer’s market in Central Square and summer jobs for the city’s teenagers.At the Ingalls School garden, teenagers and students from the school work to harvest produce and maintain the grounds throughout the growing season.Officials have said they hope the Ford School garden can bring members of the community together by providing an area for different cultures to harvest ethnic foods, and for residents to take pride in maintaining.If the School Building Subcommittee approves the organization’s plan at a May 8 meeting, construction is tentatively set for May 12. If all goes according to plan, the Highlands Coalition plans to hold a community planting event in mid-June.For more information on the neighborhood clean up call Tom at 617-781-7499.