Last week, Mifflin Square welcomed two groups of student volunteers for a two-day cleanup to kick off Spring in the park! Seven students from Vanderbilt University in Tennessee visited Philadelphia for an alternative spring break trip focused on community service. The group spent two days raking leaves, sweeping walkways, and picking up trash in and around Mifflin Square Park, leaving it in tip-top shape and ready for upcoming events and activities. The group was able to stop by the South 7th Street corridor for lunch at El Sabor Catracho, a local Honduran-Mexican restaurant. Ten students from local colleges and universities involved in Interfaith’s Alternative Break program helped in the park as well as cleaning up on South 7th Street.

On Thursday, both groups convened at SEAMAAC’s Outreach offices on 8th street to enjoy food from local restaurants and have a conversation with SEAMAAC Executive Director Thoai Nguyen. After lunch they visited the nearby Growing Home Gardens before wrapping up at Mifflin Square Park (and joining in with some kids for a few games of soccer and basketball!). A huge thanks to the group leaders and all of the students for their hard work!

Monthly cleanups in Mifflin Square Park will continue every first Thursday through October – come and help keep it beautiful at the next cleanup on April 2nd!