M.K. Goddard State
Park, Mercer County, was the site of a flurry of activity on
Saturday, April 2, 2005, but it didn't involve the usual recreational
activities that take place there.
A
total of 40 volunteers braved the last of winter's winds to
donate 150 hours to a park-wide clean up, which consisted of
cleaning five miles of roadway along Lake Wilhelm of litter
and debris. The cleanup team also bagged trash and cleaned around
the four boat launches and the marina.
Almost 7 tons
of trash was bagged by the group, over four tons of scrap metal
was recycled, and approximately 85 tires were properly disposed.
The
volunteers were divided into five different groups, each led
by a staff coordinator.
Three of the groups concentrated on picking up litter along
the road, while one group worked in and around a boat launch
and fishing area. The fifth group worked behind the park maintenance
shed. They cleaned up the areas that will be most used by park
visitors throughout the season, leaving only the beauty of the
park behind to be enjoyed by fishermen, hikers, and campers.
Beautification
efforts were centered at the marina building, where young volunteers
from the Learning Llama 4-H Club raked leaves, cleaned the wildflower
gardens, and readied the composting bins for Spring.
DCNR and PA CleanWays,
organizers of the cleanup, worked with individual volunteers
and groups, including Friends of Goddard, Bass Masters of Mercer
County, Grove City Environmental Group, Learning Llamas 4-H
Club, and the Lakeview High School Hunting and Fishing Club.
The
Greenville Wal-Mart Supercenter donated a gift card which was
used to buy snacks for the volunteers, Tri-County Industries,
Inc. supplied the rolloffs, hauled and disposed of the trash,
and Tobey's Pizza provided lunch for the volunteers.
DCNR encourages
Mercer County residents with questions about recycling and proper
disposal to contact their Recycling Coordinator, Don Blakesley
at 724-981-2412.
M.K. Goddard State Park Cleanup Team
Bass Masters of Mercer County
Friends of Goddard
Grove City Environmental Group
Lakeview High School Hunting &
Fishing Club
Learning Llama 4-H Club
Local Volunteers
M.K. Goddard State Park Personnel
PA CleanWays, Inc.
Tobey's Pizza
Tri-County Industries
Wal-Mart Supercenter of Greenville
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The
2,856-acre Maurice
K. Goddard State Park features the 1,860-acre Lake Wilhelm,
which is very popular with anglers. Many recreational activities
attract visitors in all seasons. The large lake, abundant
wetlands, old fields and mature forests provide a diversity
of habitats for wildlife, especially waterfowl and eagles
and ospreys.
Learn
about other
illegal dump sites in state forests and parks.
This page last updated May 26, 2005.
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