Kids & Family
Union School Families Keep Bike Trail Clean
The Union School PTO shared the opportunity to keep a 1-mile stretch of the bike trail clean and families responded
Thank you to Hartford Courant reporter Kristin Stoller for writing the article, “Farmington’s Union School Families Pick Up Trash Along River,” published today. We are so proud to share our story!
The Union School PTO found out last spring that, at some point in the past, the Union School PTO had adopted a section of the bike trail. The current PTO executive board wanted to take on the responsibility of up-keeping our adopted piece of trail and Union School mom Ally Mooney agreed to organize Union School families through sign-up genius.
“We are lucky to live in a community that cares,” said Mooney. “The sign-up genius slots filled up quickly and our trail has looked great this summer thanks to the help of local families, scout troops and other groups. I think people are eager to help out and this is a simple way to get the whole family involved in volunteering.”
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The PTO’s section of the trail is only about 1 mile between Route 177 and River Road. Volunteers just need to take a trash bag and a pair of rubber gloves on their next stroll and pick up the debris that they see on the way. Since the sign ups have begun, there has been weekly trash pick up on the trail.
“There really isn’t that much trash since we have so many great volunteers keeping up with the clean-up on a weekly basis,” said Mooney. “I’ve done the walk with my family and my girl scout troop.The kids were excited about it and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They like knowing that they are making a difference.”
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Union School has young volunteers helping out:
Kylie, age 9, said: “ People shouldn’t use the bike trail as a trash can!”
Jordan, age 10, said: “ Glass can really hurt animals and people. Even though cigarettes are small, they still impact our environment!”
Evan, age 5, said “The earth can’t put [the trash] away. It will just stay there forever.”
Nate, age 8, said: “It was fun, and I felt good cleaning up the trail for other people. It helps nature grow.”
Union School in Farmington is a kindergarten through fourth grade elementary school, recognized as a National Exemplary School by the U.S. Department of Education. Union School is celebrating its 75th year on School Street in Unionville.