Thanks to the volunteers who worked on the Passaic River Trails Project, the Earth Day Clean-up and Summit Free Market

Summit's environmental health got a big boost over the last month through the superb work accomplished during April by Summit's generous volunteers. The Summit Environmental Commission wishes to thank the many people who picked up garbage, cut back brush, and spread gravel, mulch and woodchips during the Earth Day Clean-Up and Passaic River Trail project work days, and those who participated in the Summit Free Market. The results were impressive, beautifying green spaces in Summit and keeping hundreds of pounds of waste out of our waste stream (which saves money too).

Earth Day Clean-Up. A heartfelt and hearty thanks to the many volunteers who gave their time and effort to the annual Summit Earth Day Clean-Up on April 20. Members of scout troops, school groups, and individual residents and families joined together at Mabie Park, Martin's Brook, Risk Avenue, New Providence Ave. trail head, and Briant Park to collect trash and recyclables, clean up branches and brush, remove invasive species, and lay wood chips on trails. Roughly 680 lbs of plastic, glass, aluminum and paper, along with 5 yards of brush, were collected, and 20 yards of woodchips were laid on trails. Special thanks to the site coordinators who oversaw the work at the various locations: Judy Mandelbaum, David Naidu, Marjorie Fox, Alan Speer, Ellen Purcell and Melissa Horn. They were assisted by the scout and club leaders, as well as other volunteer adults.

Summit Free Market. On two Saturdays, April 20 and 27, the Summit Free Market held its popular seasonal event. Thanks to the many Summit residents who brought their household items to donate at the market and to the other lucky Summit residents who were delighted to take them home. Residents shared 3.2 tons of reusable materials. Any items that were not taken home by residents were given to The Lupus Foundation, which brought a truck and took away the leftovers.

Summit Free Market was ably staffed by twenty high school students and eight middle school students.

Passaic River Trails Project. As part of the clean up and enhancement of the Passaic River trails, workdays were held on April 13, 20 and 27. Project coordinators David Naidu and Judy Mandelbaum thank the many enthusiastic volunteers who shoveled gravel, picked up trash and other debris, spread mulch and removed invasive plants. Special thanks to Jeff Hankinson, Steve Woodall, Summit Boy Scout Troop 67, Brayton Cub Scout Pack 260, trail steward Alan Speer, Chatham Boy Scout Troop 28, Kent Place Environmental Club students and the Union County Chain Saw Crew. When completed, the greenway will have cleared and well-marked walking trails from Mount Vernon Avenue to Risk and Passaic Avenues.

A final thanks to City workers who coordinated with the project leaders to deliver mulch and haul away brush and garbage. Summit is indeed fortunate to have such a large number of groups and residents who are willing to cooperate and pitch in to get the community's green projects completed. All of the undertakings add to the City's beauty and environmental sustainability. Once again, a big thanks to all who contributed.

By Beth Lovejoy, on behalf of the Summit Environmental Commission