It’s springtime, and that means it’s time to get outside and get messy, all for a good cause.
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy needs volunteers for What the Muck?, its annual three-day cleanup at Lake Elizabeth in Allegheny Commons Park, April 10-12 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., according to a news release. Help is needed to remove organic material — including remnants left behind by the park’s sizable goose population — and other debris that accumulates in the lake throughout the year.
The conservancy and the city of Pittsburgh’s Department of Public Works will again partner with Allegheny CleanWays, a local nonprofit dedicated to eliminating litter and illegal dumping in Pittsburgh’s waterways and green spaces, for the cleanup.
It’s one of the conservancy’s most popular and hands-on volunteer initiatives, drawing hundreds of participants yearly, including conservancy staff, DPW employees and Allegheny CleanWays team members.
“What the Muck? is one of our most unique and rewarding volunteer experiences,” Assistant Director of Community Engagement at the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Erin Tobin said in the news release. “Lake Elizabeth is an essential part of Allegheny Commons Park, and thanks to our dedicated volunteers, we’re able to restore and maintain this cherished space for the community to enjoy.”
Pipitone Group, an integrated marketing agency based in the North Side’s Observatory Hill neighborhood, is the event’s title sponsor for the fourth consecutive year. A team of volunteers from the agency will participate, too.
“Volunteering as a team can be messy, fun and rewarding,” said Pipitone President and CEO Scott Pipitone in the release. “We’re proud to continue to partner with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy with events like What the Muck?!”
Allegheny Commons Park has been the focus of several major revitalization efforts led by the conservancy in recent years, including the restoration of the Patricia Rooney Memorial Fountain and the completion of the North Promenade project, the release stated. These improvements have helped to enhance the park’s accessibility, aesthetics and overall environmental sustainability.
This event raises over $6,500 each year, removes 5 tons of muck and mulches 350 trees — all in just three days. In addition to the city of Pittsburgh, support also comes from Allegheny Commons Initiative and Northside Leadership Conference.
“Even though our crew works on multiple illegal dumpsites each week, What the Muck? is still the slimiest and smelliest event Allegheny CleanWays participates in every year,” said Allegheny CleanWays Program Director Lyssa Eberhardt. “Our crew members are proud to have the opportunity to offer their skills and waste transportation services to help make Lake Elizabeth a safe and enjoyable location for the public.”
For more information or to register for What the Muck? visit www.pittsburghparks.org/what-the-muck.
The PUP is the publication of the striking workers at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
