A new initiative aims to remove trash and crack down on illegal dumping in Philadelphia's Pennypack Park
Philadelphia’s Pennypack Park has been the site of illegal dumping for years. NBC10’s Brian Sheehan shows us a new initiative from the city to stop it from happening. If you’ve visited Pennypack Park in Philadelphia, you’ve likely seen a wide range of wildlife as well as trash.
Portions of the park have been a hotspot for illegal dumping for decades. Now the city is working to change that, however. On Tuesday, March 24, Philadelphia’s Office of Clean and Green announced a new initiative to remove illegal dumping from Pennypack Park, restore parkland and protect the watershed that feeds into the Delaware River. In addition to the Office of Clean and Green, the Parks & Recreation Department, Philadelphia Water Department, Department of Sanitation, the environmental brand“This is a historic dumpsite that we believe over many months, possibly years, all kinds of items have been dumped here,” Natalie Walker, the Sustainability Director for Parks & Recreation, told NBC10. The project targets an illegal dumping site within PennyPack Park which drains directly into PennyPack Creek and flows into the Delaware River watershed, which is a critical source of drinking water for Philadelphia. The initiative aims to remove illegally dumped materials, including construction and demolition debris, furniture, appliances, tires and other waste. City officials told NBC10 the trash pileup at the park was so bad that water was unable to flow freely under the bridge. Crews dug all the debris out to allow the water to flow freely again. “It’s really important that we get the materials out so that they are not contaminating our waterways,” Walker said. Crews hired by the city told NBC10 they’ve removed 170 tons of trash in the past two weeks alone from the watershed in the city’s Holmesburg neighborhood that feeds into Pennypack Creek.“We’ve come across mattresses, household items, dirty diapers,” said Kristin Pelusi, a safety officer with Geppert Bros. Inc, a Montgomery County-based company that was contracted to help clean up the area. “I mean you name it, it’s in there.” Longtime resident Tony Heisler told NBC10 the work being done is a start but he’s hoping the cleanup extends into other sections of Pennypack Park. “It’s well worth the effort,” Heisler said. “The job they’re doing is excellent and I hope they keep on moving and don’t stop in just one little area.” Officials also aim to prevent future dumping by installing fences and “No Dumping” signs. Philadelphia’s Licenses and Inspections Department is also helping with the project by removing vehicles that were illegally parked on the property which was an ongoing issue impacting nearby residents. They’re also working to install cameras in areas considered hot spots for illegal dumping and say that those who are caught in the act face a hefty fine. “It’s actually $5,000 per piece if dumped by a vehicle,” Walker said. “And so, one tire, $5,000. Four tires, $20,000.”
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