Welcoming volunteers to the Downtown Cleanup event.
It’s almost 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 on April 1st, or the Wichita River Trash Roundup later in April. 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. 🙂
Folks checking in and getting their cleanup assignments
I participated in the downtown cleanup last year and it wasn’t glamorous. It was work. We didn’t even get to work in a pretty part of the city. But 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.
That day stands out to me in my memory and probably always will. I don’t want to get all overly dramatic with this, but it was one of the last few times we got to spend really quality time with one of our friends. He was too sick even at that time to help 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.
Photo: Downtown Wichita
Last year, about a hundred volunteers helped to spruce up downtown Wichita, powerwashing sidewalks, painting curbs, picking up trash, and doing other jobs to freshen up the downtown area.
At this point, they primarily need folks for trash pickup. This is a good job for big groups because you get to stick together.
Photo: Downtown Wichita
Projects are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. (What they have left as of right now is trash pickup only.) Past projects for the Downtown Cleanup have included:
- Underpass painting
- Curb & parking stall painting
- Street & sidewalk sweeping
- Bed maintenance & landscaping projects
- Trash pick-up
Afterwards, they’ll feed you lunch. We had Papa Johns pizza and soda in the downtown popup park.
Photo: Downtown Wichita. Lunch was pizza in the popup park
We went and bought coffee first. Priorities. 🙂
Coffee at Espresso To Go Go while waiting for lunch
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 of Saturday, April 1, 2017. The earlier you register, the more choices you will have for what jobs you’re going to do.
Email alex
Date: April 1, 2017
Time: 9 a.m. to noon
Location: WDDC at 505 E. Douglas
Cost: FREE
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