Published May 04. 2026 02:45PM
Four boroughs came together Saturday to clean up the roadways leading through each of their communities that make up the Panther Valley.
Over 100 volunteers gathered to take part in the inaugural Panther Valley Blueprint Community roadside cleanup.
Volunteers then grouped along routes 902 and 209 in Summit Hill, Lansford, Coaldale and Nesquehoning to pick up trash and other items people had thrown along the roads.
Abbie Guardiani, the spokesperson for the Blueprint Community said that the weather cooperated, which helped in the successful cleanup.
“We had over 15 organizations, businesses and community groups partnered with us,” she said, adding that there were several families and individuals who also came out to clean up their community.
“(There are) so many people to thank for an amazing, successful day,” Guardiani added.
In total, the groups collected over 330 bags of trash, as well as over 50 tires. Some other items collected that people had dumped included televisions, crutches and even a toilet seat.
A thank you lunch was held at the conclusion of the cleanup at Panther Valley Junior-Senior High School.
The Panther Valley Blueprint Community has partnered with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, which will collect the bags of trash this week.
Members of the Summit Hill community, which included volunteer firefighters, fire police and borough council members, gather outside of the Summit Hill American Legion before the cleanup Saturday. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Residents clean up the side of Route 209 in Lansford. They include Bob Dobosh and Jared Soto.
The largest of the piles of trash collected Saturday sits along Route 209 heading into Nesquehoning. Over 330 bags of trash, as well as over 50 tires and other items were picked up. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Colleen McConnon is all smiles as she picks up trash as part of the Panther Valley Blueprint Community’s inaugural roadside cleanup on Saturday.
Rose Chapello hands out trash bags to volunteers along Route 209 in Nesquehoning.
Nesquehoning Borough Councilman and business owner Paul Kattner brings a television up an embankment that someone had dumped.
A group of volunteers gather for a photo during the cleanup in Lansford.
Volunteers take a moment during the Lansford portion of the cleanup.
Trash that was collected will be picked up by PennDOT this week.