Student group cleans up community park

University Latin American students not only picked up trash in Norris Square last week, but they also picked up the community's spirits. Approximately 20 members of the Latin American Living and Learning Program of Penn (LALLP) cleaned up and painted a park once filled with broken glass, crack vials, needles and other debris. The purpose of this event was to bring the students in touch with and to make a contribution to the Latino community in Norris Square, said Director of LALLP and third-year law student Gons Gutierrez Nachman. "I thought we could definitely make a huge difference," he said. The students worked from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with supplies donated by their own organization, the Anti-Graffiti Network and the University's Office of Student Community Involvement. And LALLP provided fruit, juices and cupcakes for community members. The "huge difference" could be seen in the community members, Nachman said. Neighbors and children helped the students and provided hot dogs for the workers. The students had established a connection with the community which Nachman said he hoped would not be lost. "The most striking result was the sudden appearance of the children playing tag and swinging on the swings," said co-organizer Oscar Zambrano, a third year graduate student."The children were so full of spunk. It was beautiful to see." As LALLP members left the park, children followed, touching the car for several blocks. Many members said they considered the program a success and plan to do more community work in the spring, Nachman said.