WILMINGTON, DE — Wilmington residents have a unique opportunity to contribute to their city’s beautification and environmental conservation efforts. Mayor Mike Purzycki is calling upon citizens, community groups, and businesses to partake in two significant events that aim to foster communal pride and environmental stewardship.
On Friday, April 19, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Department of Public Works will host a special Earth Day and Arbor Day celebration at Cool Spring Reservoir Plaza, located at 11th and Franklin streets. This event, themed “Planet VS. Plastics,” is free and open to the public, featuring engaging activities such as music from “DJ Tim Dogg,” an original Earth Day rap performance by Cultural Restoration Project, Inc., and 4th grade students from Kuumba Academy Charter School. Over two dozen partners and vendors will join the festivities, promising a day of education, entertainment, and community engagement.
The following day, Saturday, April 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Wilmington will observe its annual Community Clean-Up Day. This citywide initiative, a cornerstone of the “Beautiful City” campaign launched in 2017, encourages residents and groups to take an active role in maintaining and enhancing the city’s neighborhoods and public spaces. The clean-up effort underscores the administration’s ongoing commitment to keeping Wilmington clean and safe, reflecting a broader vision of civic responsibility and environmental awareness.
Mayor Purzycki emphasizes the intrinsic link between local pride and planetary care, stating, “City neighborhoods and public spaces are Wilmington’s greatest assets, and keeping them clean and attractive is a sign of respect for City residents and where they live.” He further highlights the alignment of Community Clean-Up Day with Earth Day and Arbor Day celebrations, reinforcing the message that caring for one’s immediate environment contributes to broader global sustainability goals.
The mayor’s office, along with the Departments of Public Works and Parks and Recreation, spearheads these events, supported by the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services. Their collective efforts are instrumental in mobilizing community participation and ensuring the success of these initiatives.
Interested groups and individuals are encouraged to register for the Community Clean-Up Day by April 15. Registration can be completed online or via email to communitycleanupday@WilmingtonDE.gov. The City’s Constituent Services Office stands ready to assist participants, providing necessary supplies such as trash bags, yard waste bags, gloves, and trash pickers to support various beautification projects.
In recent years, the event has seen participation from as many as 70 community groups, including churches, businesses, schools, and non-profit organizations. These groups have undertaken a range of projects, from trash collection and debris removal to flower planting, landscaping updates, and the initiation of community garden projects. Such diverse contributions highlight the community’s collective effort to enhance Wilmington’s aesthetic appeal and environmental health.
As Wilmington gears up for these events, the city demonstrates a powerful example of how local actions can contribute to global environmental goals. Through community engagement, environmental education, and hands-on conservation efforts, Wilmington residents are poised to make a significant impact, fostering a cleaner, greener, and more beautiful city for generations to come.
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