New Park Clean Up Program Launched

New program will focus on engaging volunteers through the use of social media and offers participants a chance to win a four pack of pool admissions.

In the wake of two late-season snowstorms that forced the cancellation of the annual Citywide Park Cleanup, the Department of Parks and Recreation is announcing the launch of #CleanupStPaul, a park cleanup program encouraging volunteers to clean up parks and post photos of their efforts to Facebook or Twitter.

Participants in the #CleanupStPaul program are asked to go out and collect trash and other debris from area parks, snap photos of their full trash bags and upload the photos to Facebook or Twitter. Photos are asked to be tagged with the hashtag #CleanupStPaul and the tagged photos will be shared on the Department of Parks and Recreation social media accounts.  

“Each year the Citywide Cleanup event is responsible for removing two to three tons of trash from our parks and engages more than 1,000 volunteers,” Department of Parks and Recreation Director Mike Hahm said. “With the cancellation of this year’s event, we are in desperate need of volunteers to take the initiative and clean up our local parks. #CleanupStPaul is designed to utilize social media, encourage people to participate in park cleanup, and highlight the efforts of our volunteers.”

Trash bags for #CleanupStPaul can be picked up Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Como Office located at 1100 Hamline Ave North. Volunteers unable to pick up bags during the scheduled pickup time can contact Andy Rodriguez at 651-632-2411 to schedule an alternative time. Volunteers may leave full trash bags next to the nearest park garbage can for Park staff to pick up.

Participants who post a hashtagged photo will be entered into a drawing to win a four pack of single day admissions to any of the city-operated aquatic facilities.

For more information on #CleanupStPaul, visit www.stpaul.gov/parks or the Department of Parks and Recreation Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/stpaulparks. #CleanupStPaul runs through May 10.