Habitat for Humanity volunteers gathered at the “Parkway Pond” on Saturday, September 24, 2016. The gathering wasn’t just for fun, though. The Pond was due for a serious cleanup.
The Parkway Pond is part of the Neabsco Creek Watershed. It’s located on property owned by Prince William County. Habitat for Humanity Prince William County regularly volunteers in partnership with the PWC Department of Public Works to address cleanups at sites like this. The Parkway Pond is Habitat for Humanity Prince William County’s official Adopt-a-Stream (AAS) site.
Litter flows down the storm drains from nearby shopping centers into the Parkway Pond. So, this becomes a regular clean up site for Habitat’s volunteers. Litter grabbers, trash bags and gloves were provided by the PWC Soil and Water Conservation District.
The volunteers were led by three important people. First, Tim Hughes, an Engineering Assistant with the Environmental Services Division of Prince William County’s Department of Public Works brings sites like this to Habitat’s attention. Next, SFC Stephen Langham, U.S. Army, coordinated the “army” of volunteers to sign up for the day. Finally, John Blake, Habitat’s Construction Manager led the crew of volunteers on site.
While most of the volunteers came from the Army’s Manassas recruiting office, two were not. Vicki and John Burnette, friends of SFC Langham’s, are RV Care-A-Vanners. “RV Care-A-Vanners” is a volunteer program of Habitat for Humanity International for anyone who travels in a recreational vehicle and wants to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity! Vicki and John stopped in Prince William on their way to Alabama to help build a house.
Want to help us keep the Parkway Pond clean?
Community Development projects like the Parkway Pond cleanup are part of Habitat for Humanity’s Neighborhood Revitalization program (NR). The NR program engages the residents of neighborhoods and other community partners. The NR program revives neighborhoods and makes them safe, inviting places to live.
Habitat’s community development projects improve the health and well-being of Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park residents. Together with volunteers, Habitat revitalizes public areas, removes blight, improves water quality and generally gives residents improved access to public areas and a better sense of well-being and safety.
If you’d like to participate in a Habitat for Humanity Community Development project, or you know of one that should take place, please contact us at 703-369-6708 or programs@habitatpwc.org.