The annual ‘Mayors’ Keep the County Clean Challenge’ returns for its eleventh year, with the County and area municipalities encouraging all residents to join in this spring spruce-up starting on Earth Day—Monday, April 22. The week of activities includes both organized and independent opportunities for people to engage and help clean up their neighbourhoods. The Challenge concludes on Saturday, April 27, when the entire community is invited to a celebratory appreciation barbecue at the recycling plant in Grafton.
“Earth Day is a reminder of our shared responsibility to nurture and protect the world around us, and the Keep the County Clean Challenge is an opportunity to take action in support of a healthier Earth,” states Warden John Logel. “We continue to see significant community support for this event. Over the past decade, well over 15,000 people have registered to help beautify our roadways, parks and other public areas. I encourage everyone to participate in the 2019 challenge, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to the Open House and barbecue at the recycling plant to close out the week.”
The challenge itself consists of two activities:
- The week-long Litter Clean-up: individuals and groups are invited to demonstrate community spirit by registering with their municipality to clean up a public area (park, nature-trail, roadside, etc) between April 22 and 27.
- The 20 Minute Makeover: on Friday, April 26, individuals are encouraged to spend a few minutes beautifying an area in their neighbourhood. Suggested options include place of work, local parks, trails, and school yards. No registration is required—simply grab a bag and some gloves and head outdoors.
To close out this week, the County will be hosting a free appreciation barbecue and Open House on Saturday April 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the recycling plant—the Material Recovery Facility (located north of Grafton on Edwardson Rd.). This celebration is a family-oriented event offering guided tours of the facility, large vehicles for children to explore, door prizes and other activities. Registration is not required.
For more information about the Mayors’ ‘Keep the County Clean’ Challenge, including the barbecue and Open House at the Material Recovery Facility, visit Northumberland.ca/LitterCleanup.
