Almost as many dogs as people joined the Friends of Beltzville Earth Day walk on April 21. Eighty people showed up on a cold and slightly overcast day, with the sun shining by the end of the walk.

Friends of Beltzville Master Gardener Diane Giffels began the day with the crowd gathered around the pollinator garden the group takes care of.

In addition to instruction, Giffels showed the garden where native plants are being cared for and explained this project.

Friends of Beltzville are all volunteers who support the park in many ways. Members of the group are responsible for caring for the trails throughout the park.

The Friends group also conducts a weekly walk, roadside and shoreline cleanup, in addition to hosting several events at the park throughout the year.

Tiffany Laura and Lori Walk from Walnutport joined the event to find out more about volunteer opportunities.

“I haven’t been to the park for years,” Walk said, noting it was her birthday and she was looking forward to “educational information.”

A poster titled “How long until it’s gone” showed the time it takes for various objects to degrade.

Plastic bottles take 100 to 1,000 years, masks 450 years and aluminum cans, 200 years.

First time park visitors Michele Rhoades and Jason Kutney, from Hometown, brought their 1-year-old King Corso Nero, who will be learning water rescue.

Kutney noted, “I joined the walk to get the dog out and get some exercise. I’m new to the area.”

The crowd was led through the covered bridge and along the lake side to the Tree ID trail. Following this, the hour long hike went on the Ground Pine Trail.

A few signs of spring included wild violets and a few small flowering plants.

Randy Anthony from Kunkletown shared that he remembered the land before it became a park and lake. He joined other events at the park and was there because he “loves nature and wanted to get my dogs out for a walk.”

He was joined by Tamara Fernandes who brought her 9-year-old pit bull, Murphy, and carried 6-year-old old Mina, a Chihuahua, in a bag across her chest.

The Friends group brought out the new bench that was earned through NexTrex. One thousand pounds of generally non-recyclable plastics were collected and the bench is made from these plastics.

Friends Chair Diane Szwajkowski said, “Earth Day is a great opportunity for people to come out and enjoy the park. It’s an opportunity to learn about nature and the many things the Friends group does to support our park.”

For more information about the Friends of Beltzville go to their Facebook page.