GRAB YOUR TRASH BAGS. The Amazing Eau Claire Clean Up is making our town pretty again for the 14th year.

Did you remember to take out the trash? The upcoming 14th annual Amazing Eau Claire Clean Up has a green goal: to pick up trash around community parks, playgrounds, picnic areas, recreational trails, and downtown to tidy things up for the impending summer season.

The event, organized by Eau Claire Parks, Recreation, & Forestry and sponsored by Xcel Energy, is a great opportunity to make a difference in our community – and a great chance for kids to get outside and learn the power of volunteering!

“Getting our community involved in the Amazing Eau Claire Clean Up creates an awareness of the importance of recycling and upkeep of our city,” said organizer and Recreation Program Supervisor Julie Booth. “It also creates a unified front that ensures common areas are safe and clean, particularly our parks where children and families gather.”

Booth detailed the impact of cleaning on local wildlife as well, which depend on clean parks and waterways for the health of the local ecosystem. This year’s cleanup will focus on riverbanks, trails, and park litter pick-up; flower bed planting and mulching; invasive species eradication; park amenity preparations; and cleanup around Carson Park’s museum, Logging Camp, and Railroad, as well as their playgrounds.

Last year, cleanup efforts saw record turnout with over 928 volunteers registered, providing 2,320 combined hours of community service in one day. Want to help break that record again? This year’s volunteer event is slated for 9am to noon on Saturday, April 23.

Volunteers can register individually or as groups (and business groups are encouraged to help too!), with free T-shirts, snacks, garbage bags, and local discounts for every participant.

Register today at eauclairewi.gov.