BRIDGEPORT — A volunteer neighborhood cleanup effort steps off this weekend, and the organizers want you to bring gardening gloves, bags, rakes, brooms and a can-do attitude.
The "Earth Day Clean and Green" event begins 9 a.m. Saturday at the McGuane Park Field House, 2901 S. Poplar Ave. and will bring volunteers to clean up McGuane Park and nearby Palmisano Park.
It's hosted by a diverse group of volunteers from the advisory councils of Palmisano and McGuane parks, Bridgeport Alliance, Jackalope Coffee and Tea House, Benton House, First Lutheran Church of the Trinity, Senior Suites, Bridgeport Citizens Group, the city of Chicago and Friends of South Halsted.
"This is something we all have in common. It's a really good community awareness event," community organizer Maureen Sullivan said.
Can't make it for the kickoff? Organizers say that's OK, just show up before 1 p.m. to lend a hand.
If enough volunteers attend — last year, nearly 100 residents filled two bins with trash — the group will take the cleanup confab to Halsted, Morgan and other major neighborhood streets for more trash pickup.
There should be plenty.
Part of Saturday's event is about highlighting the lack of garbage cans along Halsted Street and the debris that's left behind because of it.
Volunteers will be snapping photos of street trash and handing out postcards asking residents if they'd like to see more trash cans on area sidewalks.
While tools like bags and brooms will be provided, organizers are asking residents to bring their own tools to aid in the cleanup.
Anyone with questions — or looking to RSVP for the cleanup — is encouraged to contact the Bridgeport Alliance by emailing info@bridgeportalliance.co
