When the city of Columbus announced a reduction in city services last month, the public voiced their fears that neighboring areas would soon see an increase of trash and yard waste along streets and in communities.
To combat this issue, the Southwest Area Commission discussed holding a spring cleanup day for the area at last month’s meeting, but then decided they wanted to do something more ambitious.
At their March 18 meeting, commissioners voted to start a four-month pilot program where every third Saturday, they- along with community volunteers – would pitch in and clear an area or corridor in need of beautification.
The first neighborhood cleanup day is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m. until noon. The event will coincide with Earth Day, which is on April 22.
The commission has been in touch with Keep Columbus Beautiful, which supplies cleanup groups with litter grabbers, safety vests, gloves, bags and other helpful tools, but what the commission really wants is residents to lend a hand.
“I’m very excited about this program and we want and need the community to participate as much as possible,” said Chairperson Ralph Horn.
Horn said they will meet at a designated spot on April 18, tentatively believed to be the parking lot of the New Horizons United Methodist Church, 1665 Harrisburg Pike, and assign areas to clean up depending on the number of volunteers.
“The main priority area is Frank Road, but we would like to get (some of) Harrisburg Pike cleaned up, but that depends on how many people show up,” he said.
The commission asked residents who want to volunteer, or if they have any questions regarding the neighborhood cleanup, to call Ed Walters, commissioner, at 875-2040.
