City Subscriptions

Volunteers Needed for 2016 “Clean and Green” Clean-Up and Park Beautification Projects

Duluth Parks seeks individuals, families and community groups to register to help with Spring cleaning

[Duluth, MN] -  Beautiful, clean parks help improve the overall quality of life for residents of Duluth. Each year, over a thousand passionate volunteers dedicate their time to “Clean and Green” Duluth – helping to maintain the beauty of our city. Last year, the Clean and Green initiative had over 1,200 volunteers who contributed nearly 3,000 hours of documented service. Duluth Parks and Recreation is seeking community members willing to assist with the 2016 clean-up and beautification efforts in city parks and public spaces. Everyone is encouraged to register, whether an individual or part of a larger group or organization. The City will provide all necessary supplies to all registered Clean and Green projects, including garbage bags, gloves and pick-up of collected trash.

“The City of Duluth has a tremendous system of parks and trails and has gotten national attention commending it as a beautiful and active outdoor city,” states Mayor Emily Larson. “Maintaining those parks and trails is a priority of mine and I am so grateful to our Clean and Green initiative.”

Mayor Larson adds, “Part of what makes Duluth so unique and so wonderful is that its residents are willing to step up and help us look after what makes it so great. I thank our staff for being committed to our parks and trail maintenance and I especially thank our residents who volunteer their time to ensure our City’s beauty.”

“This year, Clean and Green hopes to expand the number of volunteers and have a farther-reaching impact,” said Cheryl Skafte, the City's Volunteer Coordinator, “We’ll be adding locations for roadside clean-ups throughout the city to help keep all public spaces, not just our parks, beautiful.”

Volunteers are encouraged to sign-up for reoccurring commitments, if they can dedicate the time to do so. “By adopting a space in Duluth to clean, you are taking an active role in keeping our public spaces clean and safe for all to enjoy during the warmer seasons,” Skafte says.

“The Clean and Green motto is ‘When it’s green, we clean’,” notes Skafte - adding that while it is not clear when exactly Duluth will be “green”, interested volunteers should register for projects now so they’ll be ready to “clean.”  Clean and Green projects typically begin when the snow first melts and ends when the snow starts to fall, so it’s never too late to sign up for a clean-up. Groups willing to clean in early-spring are encouraged to schedule their clean-up according to anticipated snowmelt, with flexibility for changing conditions.

Groups can register for one-time or multiple clean-ups in a specific park or location throughout the city. Clean-up locations can be assigned depending on the group’s size, age, time availability, and location preferences.

Register your project online at http://www.duluthmn.gov/parks/volunteer/clean-and-green-request-form.  

Questions can be directed to Alexa Shapiro, Clean and Green Intern, at ashapiro@duluthmn.gov

 # # #