Parks Hero Gets His Due

David Burgess has worked five days a week since the days of the first George Bush Administration to clean debris out of New Haven’s waterways, sweep up trash in Edgewood Park, and plant shrubs around the city — and people noticed.

Burgess is a client of Benhaven, an agency that helps people with autism to participate in community life. Like helping beautify a city.

On Tuesday, Burgess showed up as usual to Edgewood Park, this time to receive an official citation by the Connecticut General Assembly in recognition of ​“more than 30 years of beautifying New Haven parks by keeping them cleaner and more inviting for park goers.”

New Haven State Rep. Patricia Dillon presented the award in the park’s pavilion and thanked him for his commitment to the city.

“When you see David, you see no excuses,” said park foreman Paul Crnkovic. ​“He helps you keep going because if he can do it, you can too.”

Crnkovic is responsible for collecting all the waste picked up by Burgess and Peter Davis, the city’s retired riverkeeper. Davis, who has continued volunteering in the parks and works directly with Burgess, was honored by Save the Sound in 2017 for his commitment to cleaning up the West River.

According to Davis, the debris often amounts to several tons a day. It can include shopping carts, tires, and other waste that washes into the river.

“More than 30 years ago, David was just helping me do volunteer work. But he was so good that the parks department hired him,” said Davis.

Burgess, who is 54, has kept plugging — even during the pandemic, he didn’t slow down. He lives in a Benhaven group home in the Westville neighborhood.

Davis said that Burgess is well suited to the task because he enjoys the outdoors so much.

Smells evoke strong feelings and memories for Burgess, so he enjoys smelling the flowers and grass while on the job. His favorite scents are moss, basil, coffee, and vinegar.

Harry Klarman, Burgess’ advocate at Benhaven, said that Burgess actively inspires him to get involved with parks department work. Tasks became a competition amongst the team, with Burgess competing to pull the most tires out of the river.

“David is particularly well suited to this kind of work,” said Klarman. ​“The vigor with which he goes after trash … he’s like a machine!”

According to Dennis Riordan, president of the Menunkatuck Audobon Society, neither rain nor shine could prevent Burgess and Davis’ efforts to clear up New Haven’s parks. The two of them even went outside during a snowstorm to clear fire hydrants.

Riordan was the one who initially proposed the idea of giving Burgess a citation to Dillon, who gladly obliged.

Riordan first met Burgess and Davis five years ago when they were cleaning up in Edgewood Park.

“At the time, it never occurred to me that someone would spend 5 days a week cleaning the waterways,” said Riordan. ​“Nobody else was really going into the river to clean up debris.”

Riordan has worked with Burgess to plan native shrubs and perennial plants and West River Memorial Park. He said that Burgess got down on his hands and knees to help water the plants, always taking some time to smell everything.

“People need to know that people like David can do a lot if you give them the opportunity,” said Dennis. ​“You’ll be amazed.”