They say that “Downtown is everyone’s neighborhood,” and I believe it. Downtown Cleanup Day is a great opportunity to get involved in your neighborhood, get outside with friends and neighbors, and do some good for your community by spending time, not money. Plus, you usually get a free t-shirt and a free lunch.
It’s April, so that means spring cleaning for the city of Wichita.
If you have older kids or teens and want something rewarding and productive to do with them, consider taking part in one or both of the cleanups – either this Downtown Wichita Cleanup. These are great family activities, and you’ll enjoy a new sense of pride and feeling of ownership the next time you pass that part of downtown where you repaired, painted, or picked up. 🙂
I participated in the downtown cleanup one year and it was good work. My husband and I worked alongside some dear friends and their grandkids, and together we all put our backs into it. (Or maybe I should say we all put our backs out; some of us aren’t spring chickens, ha ha!) By participating, we felt like we were really part of the Wichita community.
That day stands out to me in my memory and probably always will. The reason I remember it so well is that it was one of the last few times we got to spend quality time with one of our friends. He was too sick even at that time to pick up trash, but he followed us around in his truck, passing out water bottles and calling out jokes to keep us all motivated.
It was quality time. And I don’t feel bad at all that we also helped – actually did something – to improve our city.
There’s nothing like productive work to bring people together. If you have a team of people (including a family), this is an opportunity to grow together.
Each year, about a couple hundred volunteers helped to spruce up downtown Wichita, power-washing sidewalks, painting curbs, picking up trash, and doing other jobs to freshen up the downtown area.
In the past, some projects were assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. So sign up early if you want to choose your work! Projects include:
- Trash pick-up
- Street painting
- Graffiti removal
- Sticker removal
- Sidewalk cleaning
- Window washing
- Landscaping
- and more
Last year, they fed you lunch at Naftzger Park.
Details for when and where to check in will be sent to you when you register. The downtown cleanup event will be in the morning. Lunch is usually around noon. The earlier you register, the more choices you will have for what jobs you’re going to do.
Date: April 25, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to noon (schedule subject to change)
Location: Check in at the Downtown Wichita Office (WDDC) at 505 E. Douglas
Cost: FREE
