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Decatur Elementary School
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On Saturday, May 16, 1998, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, The
Friends of the Poquessing hosted the third annual
"Philadelphia Cares About Fairmount Park Day" across the
street from Decatur Elementary School at Academy and Torrey
Roads. Many children, their families, and even some
celebrities (Captain Sewer and Lynne Abraham) gave of their
time and energy to remove trash from the park and creek
areas. Decatur School was instrumental in getting the
Philadelphia Water Department to remove the abandoned cars,
bicycles, shopping carts, and motorcycles that have been in
the creek for many years. The 8th District Police
Department, Abandoned Car Division, had also been notified
of two other vehicles that needed to be removed from the
park area.
The first fifty children who came to work were given T- shirts from the Philadelphia Water Department, and all the hard workers were provided with a bag lunch. The day was very productive and rewarding; it was very exciting to see the stagnant water begin moving again. Two classes from Decatur Elementary School have been to the creek area to do some water testing since the clean-up. They are part of the Schuylkill Valley Environmental Center's mentor program. The students are testing the creek water for the effects of rainfall in terms of dissolved oxygen, pH, carbon dioxide, etc. The teachers in these classes have been involved in watershed work for a few years. This program coordinated well with the work we have been doing on the watershed as "Scientists in the City." Each year, our interest in this topic grows, and new ideas and opportunities appear and enrich our lives. As a tribute to the children for all their hard work on this worthwhile project, a pizza party was held on Wednesday, June 3, 1998. Students from kindergarten through fifth grade sat side by side eating and talking about their experiences cleaning the creek and the pride they felt in seeing the improvements. This endeavor has given us hope for a healthier environment in our school, neighborhood, and watershed.
Before the Clean-up! This picture was taken in January of 1998. Notice all the trash in Poquessing Creek Tributary--abandoned cars, bikes, motorcycles, shopping carts--and that the water is NOT moving!
Friends of Poquessing Watershed hosted the clean-up across from Decatur School. Children, parents, and teachers signed up as volunteers. They were given gloves and tools to do their job. They were rewarded with T-shirts and lunch at the end.
Workers cleaning the park area before cleaning the creek.
A famous visitor who joined us was Captain Sewer working with Diane Radsbach of the Friends of the Poquessing.
Teachers and students working together to remove trash from the creek.
Children doing water testing after the creek clean-up. (May 21, 1998)
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