First Posted: 3/21/2012

CLARKS SUMMIT- At the regularly scheduled meeting of the Abington Area Joint Recreation Board (AAJRB) held March 15 at the Clarks Summit Borough Building, plans were announced for the upcoming “Great Abington Area Park Cleanup” scheduled for April 21 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Abington Area Community Park. According to Jennifer Wynn, who was not present at the meeting, and is volunteer coordinator for the park and for The Voluntary Action Center, Scranton, “The cleanup is part of the Great PA Cleanup that will happen around the state.”

The cleanup will be held on the last day of National Volunteers Week, “when volunteers are celebrated for their dedication to their communities and their chance to change their lives through volunteering,” said Wynn. To participate, contact volunteers@abingtonparks.com

Dewey Petty, of the Abington Junior Comets, has also volunteered his time at the park to complete the trail preparation on the unfinished sections of the “Walk the Lake” project. The walkway around the lake will be paved and boardwalked this spring and will connect to an additional fishing dock funded by State Rep. Kevin Murphy’s $15,000 grant.

Other board news included lighting installed on the “International Field” at the park by Joyce Electric of Eynon, as per the DCNR Grant and the Abington Youth Soccer League contribution. The lighting will be operational once PPL has wired the service, according to Bill Risse, board chairman and Clarks Green representative.

Carolyn Crowley, South Abington Township board representative and Community Garden coordinator, announced 12 plots with three sizes available, and said she has received new applications almost daily. Gardeners can find applications online at abingtonparks.com. Applications with payment should be received as soon as possible “to ensure a plot and get a jump start on weeding and preparing the ground for planting,” said Crowley.