WestSide Community Cleanup Marks 15th Anniversary with City-Wide Event
Photo Courtesy WestSide Clean Up
Grand Rapids, MI - The Community Cleanup is thrilled to announce its 15th-year milestone, scheduled for April 20th from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. This city-wide initiative, organized by the West Grand Neighborhood Organization (WGNO), in partnership with multiple neighborhood associations, businesses and organizations on the Cleanup Committee has become a beloved tradition aimed at fostering community engagement and preserving the natural beauty of our city.
Read my 2023 WestSide Clean Up Recap here
Participants are invited to join this impactful event by signing up and registering ahead of time at https://westgrand.org/wsccleanup. With 16 launch pads across the city, volunteers can choose their preferred location to begin their clean-up efforts. Whether coming alone, with family, colleagues, or friends, everyone is welcome to contribute to this meaningful cause.
Photo Courtesy WestSide Clean Up
Agenda for WestSide Clean Up
Volunteers meet at their registered district site (Districts 1 through 16) for check-in and get their Wristbands.
Check-in - 8:30 AM
West Leonard @ WGNO - 754 Leonard St. NW #2
2: Stockbridge @ Lincoln Park - 1120 Bridge St. NW
3: West Fulton @ John Ball Zoo - 1300 W. Fulton
4: Southwest @ Cesar E. Chavez Elementary -1205 Cesar Chavez Ave. SW
5: West Downtown @ Ah-Nab-Awen Park - 220 Front Ave. NW
6: Las Canchas @ 250 Seward Ave. NW
7: Garfield Park @ GPNA - 250 Burton St. SE
8: Ken-O-Sha Park @ 1353 Van Auken St. SE
9: Highland Park @ 531 Grand Ave. NE
10: MLK Park @ 1200 MLK Jr. St. SE
11: Foster Park @ 343 Cherry St. SE
12: Creston @ Riverside Park - 2001 Monroe Ave. NE
13: Wilcox Park @100 Youell Ave. SE
14: Belknap/Monroe North @ 727 Coit Ave. NE
15: Boston Square @ BSNA - 1551 Kalamazoo Ave. SE1116. Sullivan Field @ 650 Valley Ave NW
Cleanup starts at 9:30 AM
Attendees will leave their trash in designated locations
Cleanup portion ends at 11:45 AM
Volunteer Block Party at John Ball Zoo Starts - 12:00 PM
After-Party Event ends - 3:00 PM
The Community Cleanup offers a rewarding experience for volunteers, culminating in an after-party at John Ball Zoo. Following a few hours of trash collection, participants are treated to a complimentary meal and beverage(s), including adult options. The event also features a range of children's activities and community partners, with attendees receiving free access to the zoo (voucher valid for one week).
Read my 2022 WestSide Clean Up Recap Here
This year's food vendors include Taste of Toya’s World, Rise Bakery (vegan/GF), Fratelli’s, Mercadito, El Caribe, Kona Ice and more, with John Ball Zoo serving as the title sponsor.
The event's rich history traces back 15 years when a Westside couple Brian & Erica Van Ee, initiated efforts to clean up their neighborhood after the snowmelt, preventing debris from entering the watershed. Over time, the event grew in popularity, attracting over 700 participants last year. This year we expect near 1000.
Co-chaired by Annette Vandenberg and Monica Hall of WGNO, this year's event boasts a diverse planning committee comprising business and neighborhood professionals from all around Grand Rapids.
Reflecting on the event's evolution, co-founder Erica Curry Van Ee shares, "Brian and I are so thrilled to see the Westside Community Clean Up we started 15 years ago with a handful of neighbors from Union Square become the community wide celebration it is today. We couldn’t be happier that this event continues to bring people together working for a common cause: creating relationships between neighbors while cleaning up the neighborhood so it is a better place for all to live, work and thrive. We have so much gratitude to West Grand Neighborhood Organization leadership for keeping this event alive, and know the clean up will continue to grow in numbers and impact for many years to come. We are also deeply appreciative to the many local nonprofit organizations and businesses that support this event and make it possible!”
A really cool new addition this year is that Rapid is providing free transportation to the Zoo after-party. Just show your wristband. Additionally, if you take a photo of yourself on the bus and show it at the registration table, you'll earn five more raffle tickets for the after-party. And there are some great prizes!
Also new this year is a contest to be on the "Royal Court of Trash." There are four categories: Most Valuable, Most Bizarre, Largest, and Funniest. Simply take a photo of the trash (with you!) and tag it on Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #2024cleanupgr.
The judges for this contest are our founders: Erica and Brian. The decision will be made at 2 p.m.
The Community Cleanup exemplifies the spirit of community pride and collaboration, embodying the values of Grand Rapids residents. With something for everyone, this event promises to be a well-rounded and enriching experience. If you’re a business that is not involved with the WestSide Clean Up yet, 2025 is your year!
Those interested in learning more about the event can visit https://westgrand.org/wsccleanup or contact Annette Vandenberg at annette at westgrand dot org.
