More than 100 volunteers turned out on a spectacular spring day Saturday to spruce up the city and take care of the environment.
The City’s ninth annual Keep Chelsea Beautiful cleanup coincided with the nation’s fortieth observation of Earth Day, resulting in more than a dozen projects being undertaken in Chelsea, from tree plantings to litter pick-up.
“This is one of my favorite events of the year,” boasted City Manager Jay Ash, who was a cleanup coordinator. “The spirit is contagious and the results of everyone working together make our community a better and healthy place to live and work.”
Sharing responsibilities with Ash for the cleanup was the Chelsea Green Space and Recreation Committee. Ash was especially impressed with Green Space organizer Chris Pazos for his work in organizing many aspects of the day’s activities.
“Green Space is a long and celebrated advocate for our community and environment,” reflected Ash. “And one of the numerous things they do well is to get our young people engaged. Chris is one of those young people; an emerging leader in this community who showed what community organizing can do.”
Ash also praised several others for their commitments on the day, including Chelsea Neighborhood Developers and ROCA, as well as residents from Neighbors Against Blight, the Washington Avenue Gateway Association and the Vivereal church group.
“Everybody was seemingly there and together we got so much done,” said Representative Eugene O’Flaherty, a participant in the cleanup. “This event again demonstrated why we are so fortunate here in Chelsea to have so many good people making a difference in our community.”
Among the projects that were undertaken Saturday was the planting of trees, the cleanup of highway embankments, the mulching of tree pits, the painting of park benches and the removal of trash from the Mill Creek.
“We did it all,” exclaimed Councillor Roseann Bongiovanni, who was joined by her colleagues, including Councillors Brian Hatleberg, Calvin Brown, Leo Robinson, Mike MeKonnen and Anthony Pellegrino at various cleanup locations.
Following the cleanup, Kayem Foods helped support a community celebration that was held at Chelsea Commons Park.
“The best of times is when you can enjoy yourself and be productive at the same time. Add in spending a day with your friends and neighbors and that’s what our cleanup was all about,” concluded Ash