Ducktown Gets a Clean-Up

Ducktown Gets a Clean-Up

By Mariella Negro

On Saturday, Ducktown, a specific section of Atlantic City, had a community clean-up. Residents were encouraged to lend a helping hand and take care of their cherished neighborhood.

Families, friends and even students from Our Lady Star of the Sea school showed up and got to work in teams to clean up. About 40 individuals split up into teams of 4 and spread out around the neighborhood with pick-up tools, gloves and trash bags; all provided by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and the Ducktown Neighborhood Association.

The morning weather was pretty unfavorable but that did not stop these community members to come out and get the job done.  One individual who wasn’t part of the group said he was inspired to clean his backyard after seeing these people tend to their neighborhood.

“It motivates me to do good for the communities. We all have to play our part.”  said Cheryl Spaulding, a community organizer. “We expect to get Ducktown a little cleaner than it has been. This momentum of keeping our neighborhoods clean motivates people to move forward.”

Even teenagers participating in the event were strongly enthusiastic about the clean up. Consuela Maldonado, a resident of Atlantic City said “I love helping the community. Any opportunity that I get to be able to help, I immediately say yes. It’s just a natural thing for me to do. I don’t live in Ducktown but I still wanted to come.”

John Mooney, who works for the Parish of Saint Monica said “St. Michael’s church is right inside of Ducktown so, naturally, I wanted to come out and help. We’re all committed to this community.”

This initiative to keep the neighborhood clean is encouraged and organized by the Ducktown Neighborhood Association in attempt to preserve the historic parts of Atlantic City.

Ducktown is known for being right in the heart of Atlantic City. Historic businesses like the White House Sub Shop and Formica’s Bakery are located in this neighborhood as well as Stockton’s Noyes Arts Garage.

(From left to right) Richard Negro, Consuela Maldonado and John Mooney. Photo Credit: Mariella Negro

Two student participants of the clean-up event. Photo Credit: Mariella Negro