LYNN — A series of neighborhood cleanups launched this past Saturday at Kiley Park, with more than 120 volunteers picking up the area.
Hosted by the City Council, the Lynn Litter Committee, the Department of Public Works (DPW) and Ward 3 Councilor Coco Alinsug and his team, the Kiley Park cleanup was the first of many scheduled for the upcoming weekends.
“We cleaned the whole park and neighboring streets and neighborhoods from Seymour, Chatham, Burrill, Sanderson and Michigan,” Alinsug said.
Volunteers came in the form of neighbors, Ward 3 residents, students of Brickett, Aborn and Thurgood Marshall schools and the East Lynn Little League.
Local officials also dedicated their Saturday morning to the cause including Mayor Jared Nicholson; state Sen. Brendan Crighton; Councilors Jay Walsh, Brian Field and Fred Hogan; DPW Associate Commissioner Lisa Nerich; and Ward 3 precinct captains and team members Sandee Corneau, Alicia Eileen, Kimberly Delre, Dawn Jenkins, Lisa Pressman, Beth Garry, John Johan, John Delyani, Bonnie Carr, Jill Oliver and Jess Murphy.
“This is very important for us to show to everyone that we care and we love our city,” Alinsug said. “It’s really cool to see parents and kids helping the community. Some of them brought their own rakes, gloves, shovels, bags, etc. I loved to see the parents showing their kids the value of community service and helping.”
Alinsug and his team printed out certificates for all of the attendees to recognize their participation, giving these mostly to the children.
“I loved to see the kids bragging about their certificates. To them it’s more like a badge of honor recognizing their efforts and good deeds,” Alinsug said.
Kiley Park was the kickoff event of a citywide project, “Keep Lynn Clean,” and Alinsug said Ward 3 is honored to be the first host this year.
The next cleanup will be on April 16 at Warren Street Park from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by High Rock Park on April 23 and Flax Pond on April 30, both from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
There will also be cleanups every Saturday in May and June from 9 to 11 a.m. in the following order: Hood Park, the Commons, Neptune/McManus Park, Clark Street Park, Western Burial Ground, Ames Park, the bike trail and Keaney Park.
“The goal of these cleanups is to create awareness and education, and to encourage the residents to do their part to help clean the city,” Alinsug said.
Alinsug is also planning more cleanup projects in Ward 3 soon, and encourages anyone who is interested to subscribe to his newsletter at www.cocoalinsug.com/mailinglist.
