Langley kindergartener Luke Lopez beamed as he ran across the football field carrying a smashed and rusty old beer can. He paused briefly in front of three bags - one designated for landfill-bound garbage, one for recyclable materials and a third for compostables. He tossed it in the recycling bag, earning enthusiastic high-fives and his fifth prize before sprinting away to find more.
Luke gathered with members of his school family and neighbors for a park clean-up event on Saturday. The Harry Thomas Sr. Recreation Center park is used each school day by Langley Elementary students and on the weekends by a youth football league, as well as neighbors who come to enjoy the many amenities such as the basketball court, community garden, pool and playground. The popular park was showing some wear and tear, said Langley PTSA President Mona Lewandoski, and it was a great opportunity to have students at the community service-focused school pitch in.
Luke gathered with members of his school family and neighbors for a park clean-up event on Saturday. The Harry Thomas Sr. Recreation Center park is used each school day by Langley Elementary students and on the weekends by a youth football league, as well as neighbors who come to enjoy the many amenities such as the basketball court, community garden, pool and playground. The popular park was showing some wear and tear, said Langley PTSA President Mona Lewandoski, and it was a great opportunity to have students at the community service-focused school pitch in.
"Community service is part of Langley's mission to educate the whole child. We strive to teach empathy, cooperation and responsibility and to show our kids how using those skills can make a positive impact in their own community," said Lewandoski. "This project was perfect for grown-ups and preschoolers, and our Fall incoming class helped too."
Parents and kids alike worked hard to get the park into shape, but it wasn't all work. Dads got to know each other better as they teamed up to dig broken glass from the soil. Kids bonded as they raced to get to the next plastic bottle first.
This Earth Day, users of the Harry Thomas Sr. Rec Center park were able to enjoy a safer, more beautiful space that all our neighbors can be proud to call, "my park."
Related: MLK Beautification Day
By Dawn Madura
Parents and kids alike worked hard to get the park into shape, but it wasn't all work. Dads got to know each other better as they teamed up to dig broken glass from the soil. Kids bonded as they raced to get to the next plastic bottle first.
This Earth Day, users of the Harry Thomas Sr. Rec Center park were able to enjoy a safer, more beautiful space that all our neighbors can be proud to call, "my park."
Related: MLK Beautification Day
By Dawn Madura
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