The D&L Blog

Twenty-four volunteers turned out for Saturday’s cleanup at Lock 13 in Parryville. They did a tremendous amount of work.

Our cleanup had two facets: clearing invasive plants and picking up all types of trash. When the day was done, both sides of Lock 13 were far more visible due to the cutting of a large number of invasive honeysuckle bushes and the initial cutting of a large colony of Japanese knotweed at the confluence of the Lehigh River and Pohopoco Creek. Volunteers also cut out invasive vines that were threatening native river birch trees along the canal.

Volunteers at the cleanup included members of the Carbon County and Lehigh Valley Trail Tenders chapters, the Allentown Hiking Club, new volunteers from Parryville and Weissport and two students (and parents) from Jim Thorpe High School who received community service hours for the work. We had representatives from Parryville and Weissport borough councils and the Parryville Fire Department.

In addition, East Penn Township provided a municipal chipper/shredder that took care of a lot of the cut plants.

All in all, it was a great day. The site took a giant step forward and once the season is done, Lock 13 at Parryville is going to be a picturesque recreational site for the local community and D&L Trail users.

Thanks to everyone who came out.