Help restore the beauty of Morristown’s Speedwell and Pocahontas lakes, May 20

mayor's cleanup speedwell lake
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This weekend’s first annual Mayor’s Cleanup of Speedwell and Pocahontas lakes will be more than just picking up trash. It also will focus on educating Morristown residents on the detrimental effects of littering and dumping waste into natural environments.

“In order to make this successful, we have to educate them, otherwise they will continue littering,” explains Maureen Denman, chairperson of the Morristown Environmental Commission. “We want to empower them, let them know that they can speak out, speak up, say no.”

The cleanup starts at 9 am on Saturday, May 20, 2017, near the waterfall at Speedwell Lake. Children over age 8 are welcome, accompanied by an adult.
spanish flyer for lake cleanup 2017

At a candidates forum this week, Mayor Tim Dougherty called Speedwell and Pocahontas two of Morristown’s environmental gems.

Denman and her fellow commissioners hope to catalyze the same passion and momentum for the two lakes that residents in the Friends of Foote’s Pond
group have brought to improving that pond.

“I think they have piloted a perfect community organization,” Denman said.

“Hopefully, in 2 years, we will also have a Friends of Speedwell Lake and a Friends of Lake Pocahontas.”

The Environmental Commission will hold an educational session after the initial cleanup. In one of five initiatives, the Commission has partnered with Morristown United for Healthy Living, where several representatives will lead the training session about how to maintain the health of these lakes.

Education aside, participants will have their work cut out for them on Saturday.

“We were just appalled by how much trash is being dumped by residents, by contractors,” Denman said.

The commission suggests volunteers wear shoes that they don’t mind getting dirty. Gloves, bags and supplies will be provided as well.

SmartWorld Coffee and South & Pine Restaurant are providing food for participants.

Denman says the revamp of the Speedwell and Pocahontas lakes should have many positive benefits for residents.

“If they take some pride in the lakes, their property value will increase,” she said. The Commission’s five-year goal is to reintroduce kayaking to the lakes, something that has not occurred in many years.

Denman hopes citizens will be inspired to “be the gatekeepers of the little bit of natural resources we have left.”

Emma Piascik is a senior at Morristown High School. She will attend Lafayette College in the fall.

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