Camden cleanup campaign begins

Mayor Dana L. Redd on Tuesday initiated the Camden Clean Campaign, a citywide effort to improve neighborhoods.

Wachovia and PNC Banks provided most of the campaign's funding with a combined donation of $30,000. The city has been working with residents to designate lots and parks for cleanup and to set dates.

Redd said trash "came up over and over" as an issue during her mayoral campaign last fall and that she had "promised to do something about it."

"Our quality of life is being affected," Redd said. "We've had enough."

The project will divide Camden into seven zones in which volunteers will plant shrubs and other plants, paint the exteriors of abandoned buildings, and clean up lots. The city will provide tools, supplies, and expanded garbage removal.

More than 100 residents and elected officials attended Tuesday's news conference at Northgate Park in North Camden. The park will be the first site cleaned up, on June 23.

Volunteers are to meet at Northgate at 7 a.m. to get tools and assignments. The cleanup runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a celebration following.

The other zones are Lanning Square/Cooper Plaza/Bergen Square; Marlton/Stockton; Liberty Park/Centerville/Waterfront South; Cramer Hill; Fairview/Morgan Village; and Parkside/Whitman Park. Cleanups are scheduled through Sept. 1.

Those interested in participating in the campaign are being asked to call the cleanup hotline at 856-757-7671 or e-mail CamdenClean@ci.camden.nj.us.