Peabody Pride Cleanup Crew Comes Through Again

[The following was submitted by Mayor Bettencourt's office.]

Shortly before they descended upon the city with gloves, trash bags and loads of community spirit [two Saturdays ago], Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr. revved up a crowd of volunteers who flocked to City Hall as part of the Mayor’s 2nd "Peabody Pride in Motion" Community Cleanup effort.

“I thanked them of course for coming out on a chilly Saturday morning,” Mayor Bettencourt said. “But I also wanted to let them know that what we do makes a huge difference in terms of the face that our city shows to the rest of the region.”

Indeed as the volunteers set out by foot, by car and even by shuttle bus, each seemed determined to improve the community they love.

In South Peabody, volunteers picked up trash which littered the shoreline surrounding Brown’s Pond, Spring Pond and Macarthur Park.

Another team tackled the perimeter of Emerson Park with a particular focus on the area surrounding the city’s skate park.

The mayor himself led a team of volunteers to Crystal Lake and Bow Street while others tackled major Ward 3 thoroughfares Pulaski Street, Gardner Street and Margin Street. 

Not to be outdone, members of Peabody High School athletic teams concentrated their efforts downtown picking up trash along Central Street, Walnut Street and Railroad Avenue.

When it was all said and done, five truckloads of trash, litter and debris were hauled away by Department of Public Services personnel while the Peabody Pride cleaners gathered back at City Hall for pizza and camaraderie.

“I was particularly gratified to see so many student athletes step up and volunteer,” Mayor Bettencourt said. “I grew up feeling a great sense of pride to wear the Peabody uniform and I want this generation to feel the same way. They should be proud of what they did for the city today. Everyone who came out should be proud of their effort.”