LAWRENCE — On a recent Saturday, Ana Ortega, Angel Rivera and Mercedes Deleon were sweeping grass and leaves off the ground into a trash bag.
Ortega, Rivera and DeLeon were not doing the back-breaking job in their own backyard. Instead, they were among 20 residents who helped clean up the Dr. Nina Scarito Park on Brooks Street.
For the past five months, Deputy Police Chief Melix Bonilla has organized residents to tidy up parks, playgrounds and streets around the city.
"This is our city and we're concerned about the way it looks," said Bonilla.
At Scarito Park, Nazario Esquea cut off branches along the banks of the Spicket River with pliers while Carlos Morel used a weed whacker to trim overgrown grass. Nearby, Juan Belliard replaced the screws on the swing set, as Vierlo Acosta, Johnny Paredes, Jorge Tejera and Francisco Surrillo removed dirt and rocks from a community garden.
"I know the city has financial problems and not enough people to clean it, if we're able to lend a hand, why not do it," Belliard said.
Surillo agreed.
"We need to take charge because we live here," he said. "It's about giving back to the community because if we don't it shows we don't care and it's not true."
On Thursdays, Bonilla sends volunteers a text message telling them where the weekend's cleanup is going to be. He reminds them again on Fridays and asks them to bring along five friends. Members of the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence, Groundwork Lawrence, city churches and Lawrence CommunityWorks also come to volunteer.
"The goal is to have people take pride in the city and that change can come step by step," Bonilla said.
To help out, contact Johnny Paredes at 978-804-6678.
