Clean Up the Chathams on April 20

As temperatures rise—albeit marginally—and spring nears, Chatham Borough and Chatham Township have scheduled their spring Clean-Up Days to help beautify their open spaces.

The Chatham Borough Environmental Commission (CBEC) have a particular mission this spring: to clean up as the "Explore Chatham" program. From Woodland Park to Wuahla Woods to Shepard Kollock, the forests, field and river paths in the borough need some attention this spring.

The CBEC means to turn their attention this town clean-up day into trail cleaning and creation as well as field maintenance.

"Hurricane Sandy put a fair amount of debris on the existing hiking path at Shepard Kollock park, so we are looking for volunteers to help clean the trail make it accessible for residents to use again," reads a press release from the CBEC.

The CBEC also has their attention on a new trail at Stanley Park and the open space property off of River Road. A trail creation there "will allow residents into otherwise inaccessible areas of the riverfront," the CBEC said in their statement.

And in the Township

Chatham Township's Environmental Commission (CTEC) also scheduled a clean-up day on April 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., rain or shine.

The primary focus of this clean-up day is the Green Village Pond Conservation Area, a former homestead now owned by the township.

Work needed in the conservation area includes removing trash, clipping the brambles and spreading wood chips.

The CTEC recommends wearing boots and bringing gloves if you have them, though cotton gloves will be surprised. "Expect to find glass (maybe some old bottles), rusty metal [and] broken furniture," a statement from the CTEC reads in part.

Refreshments will be offered to those who volunteer. Those interested in helping can park on Green Village Road near Melrose Lane.

The CTEC's clean-up day is sponsored by Chatham Disposal Co. and ShopRite of Chatham.