Knollwood Showed Up — and Things Are Changing
This June, Knollwood residents took on illegal dumping in their own backyard — twice.
June 6: The Knollwood Tire Cleanup
On Saturday, June 6, neighbors gathered at the Knollwood Community Center on Colby Ave. Coffee was hot (thanks Java Bean for the discount!), gloves were ready, and there was a job for everyone.
Two crews were unified around a vision of a healthier community. One crew went into the woods to pull out trash. The other crew stayed near the center, planting native plants and learning about garden beds. That second track was designed so elders, kids, and anyone who didn’t want to hike into the brush could still be part of the day.
Melody Mason, a Claymont Master Gardener and Master Watershed Steward led the planting station, teaching neighbors about native plants and the importance of being able to grow your own food. She led families in planting tomatoes they could take home with them. By noon, the crews came back together for lunch, and four Knollwood residents went home with $50 Food Lion gift cards.
So grateful for the NCC Project SEED team! Click picture to see more of Project SEED.
June 20: The Roaming Trash Truck
Two weeks later, Knollwood did it again — this time street by street.
Residents set bulk trash at the curb by 8 AM. Then a trash truck from Casella rolled through the neighborhood, with crew members Jack and Mario loading up couches, mattresses, and junk that regular pickup won't take. Neighbors came out of their homes to help load, one street at a time.
Beyond the Cleanups
The cleanups are part of a bigger push. This spring, we met with Rep. Larry Lambert and DelDOT about clearing the clogged drains on Alcott and Denham, hauling the dumped trash by the 495 footbridge, and repairing the broken fence.
And it's working. DelDOT has:
Cleared the dumped trash by the pedestrian bridge
Installed solar lights on both sides of the walking bridge (June 30)
Cleared both drains on Alcott and Denham — a full flush and camera inspection is scheduled next
Cleared branches behind the Community Center to improve sight lines
Put the pedestrian bridge on a heightened maintenance schedule — DelDOT crews now clean up trash in the area every month
Contacted Delmarva Power to upgrade the streetlight on the Knollwood side to LED
Fence repairs are scheduled, and a few more items are still in review. We'll keep watching to make sure the rest gets done — because residents asked, and residents are keeping track.
Why This Matters
Let's be clear: illegal dumping in Knollwood is not a resident problem. It's what happens when a neighborhood gets less than its fair share of trash service, enforcement, and public investment. When there's no easy way to get rid of a mattress, mattresses end up in the woods.
The dumpsters, supplies, and truck were all donated by partners who showed up for this neighborhood, and more than a dozen organizations sent hands, tools, and food. What DNREC's Community Environmental Project Fund grant covered was the organizing — the meetings, flyers, and coordination that brought everyone together. That's our role at CC4EJ: support the work residents lead.
The cleanups are one piece of a bigger effort residents are leading: getting lights and repairs on the pedestrian bridge, holding landlords to their trash service duties, and deciding together how to stop dumping before it starts.
Want In?
The next chance to pitch in is coming. Check our Get Involved page for upcoming dates, or text us at 302-468-1959.
Hosted by Knollwood residents with the Claymont Coalition for Environmental Justice. ¿Preguntas? Llame o envíe un mensaje al 302-468-1959.
