BY DEBBIE PAGE

The Troutman Parks and Recreation Department sponsored an Earth Day community cleanup on Monday evening with about 30 community members participating, including representatives of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, the Troutman Exchange Club, Rotary Club, and town staff and elected officials.

After signing in, participants received florescent safety vests, protective gloves, trash bags, sharps containers for any medical waste encountered, and grabbers.

Director Emily Watson and Special Events Coordinator Amber Ward thanked participants for caring about their community and urged them to be alert for traffic dangers.

The group spilt into three units, with two working at the Exit 42 area and one at Murdock and Old Murdock Road.

After collecting the roadside refuse, the group brought their hauls back to the Parks and Rec Parking lot to weigh in. In just over two hours, the participants collected 493 pounds of discarded items littering the community.

Mayor Teross Young, Town Manager Ron Wyatt, and Councilman Eddie Nau also participated in the effort.

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