Volunteers clean up Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Park

Some of the many volunteers who helped with the fall cleanup on Oct. 10. Photos courtesy Joanne Campbell.

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Oct. 10 was a beautiful day to be working outside—very sunny, but cool. Energetic volunteers who came to the biannual Coventry P.E.A.C.E. Park cleanup included participants from Heights High’s swim team, Roxboro Middle School’s honor society, Heights High’s National Honor Society, AFS, Minority Students Achievement Network, and Coventry’s Ultimate Frisbee Club.

Volunteers pulled weeds, spread mulch, repaired playground equipment, and raked the wood chips around it. Thanks to them, the playground is ready for winter.

Volunteers worked from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and enjoyed lunch and snacks generously provided by Heights businesses. Zoss the Swiss Baker and Phoenix Coffee on Coventry Road provided breakfast and coffee; Tommy’s restaurant provided lunch; Guy’s Pizza sent over some pizzas, and Zagara’s Marketplace donated apples.

When Coventry School closed, a group of Coventry parents (and a grandparent) formed the P.E.A.C.E Park committee. They are still working together to keep the park looking good, and the equipment safe.

Erick Kauffman is the president; he sets the clean-up dates, calls around for volunteers, and decides what equipment needs to be repaired.  Kara O’Donnell loads the tables, tent and supplies for the food in her van and delivers it all. Sue Datta organizes the food setup and and oversees its serving. Ray Gonzalez fetches the coffee and Tommy’s food. Scott Jackson, from The Wood Trader, helps with equipment repair supplies and the repairing. Krista Hawthorne, Pam Bertand and Lucene Wisniewski are the garden organizers who direct weed pulling, mulch distribution and garden cleanup, along with the rest of the committee.

All are welcome to join in the fun and work day. There will be another clean up in the spring, so watch for a date to be posted on the fence along Euclid Heights Boulevard.