Moraine seeks volunteers to help clean
Although fines for posting graffiti and littering at Moraine State Park are higher than surrounding areas, the park is still subject to occasional vandalism.
The park is holding a volunteer work day Saturday, during which people can join staff members to clean up litter and graffiti around the area.
Natalie Simon, an environmental educator at Moraine, said the staff will use a special graffiti-removing product from the Pennsylvania Parks and Forest Foundation to clean tags on the Route 528 bridge.
“That's our targeted area, the bridge,” she said. “In general, we have responsible visitors, but sometimes people aren't as responsible.”
Environmental educator Mike Shaffer said Moraine got hit with more graffiti than usual over the past year, and cleaning it can be expensive. He also said the park staff has caught and prosecuted people in the act, but often not before they leave their mark on the park.
According to park manager Dustin Drew, Moraine's park staff hosts a few volunteer work days every year.
While its staff and members of other park organizations, such as the Moraine Preservation Fund and Friends of Moraine State Park, do their part to keep the park clean on a regular basis, Drew said some litter still goes under the radar.
“Litter pickup and litter removal is a task done by all,” Drew said. “We don't get all of it all the time, and sometimes it gets more dirty than usual.”
Simon said the park normally gets a good response for events like this, and local groups and even companies are supportive of cleanup efforts.
Additionally, members of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Conservation Volunteer Program often help out.
Simon said anyone who wants to assist with the volunteer work day must call the park ahead of time to register. She said cleaning supplies will be provided, but she recommends volunteers dress appropriately.
Drew said these volunteer days are meant to be more in-depth cleaning days for the park.
“The boat launches and fishing areas are more remote areas we tend to find (trash) at times,” he said. “That's why these volunteer efforts can help us get it more in bulk.”
The work day will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. near the Route 528 bridge in the park. Shaffer said the event already has a few volunteers signed up to help, but those interested in lending a hand can call the park office at 724-368-8811 to check for open slots.
