COVINGTON, Ky. - Day broke on April 28 last year to find groups of people wearing clothes they didn’t mind getting dirty heading out to corner parks, wooded areas, and neighborhood “problem spots” throughout Covington.
Great American Cleanup 2018 saw Monte Casino residents picking up trash along Benton Road ... IRS workers planting garden beds at Latonia Elementary ... a team from Hub + Weber Architects painting the underpass at Pike & Russell ... and Mutter Gottes residents spreading mulch and planting perennials around their neighborhood.
By afternoon, some 750 volunteers had donated sweat and energy at 27 sites in Covington, where they picked up over 4 tons of trash, planted countless flowers and trees, spread numerous truckloads of mulch, fixed gateway signs, painted and cleared out invasive plant species - anything to make their area of the city look more beautiful.
Now, the plans for this year’s version are being finalized by Keep Covington Beautiful, which organizes the event with the help of the City of Covington and The Center for Great Neighborhoods.
The event takes place from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 27.
“As much as the event accomplished last year, we’re hoping to do even more this year,” said Shannon Ratterman of KCB and The Center.
Any group that has a space they’d like to see worked on can register as a host for the site
HERE. Organizers will provide gloves, trash bags, water, free tool rental, and up to $250 toward the beautification project for things like flowers, mulch, and materials, Ratterman said.
Last year, Keep Covington Beautiful gave $3,750 in grants.
Already, 23 sites have been registered, but organizers are hoping to attract a few more before the Friday deadline, especially in the Latonia and South Covington areas.
Volunteers not attached to a group or site should use the same website to register at least a couple days before the event, and they will be directed to a site that needs volunteers. Registration isn’t mandatory for volunteers but will help organizers determine how much supplies and “swag” to order, which will include a T-shirt and a coffee mug, in addition to breakfast (from Moonrise Donuts), Ratterman said.
“No matter where you live, there’s a good chance that we have a site near you,” she said.
Rumpke Waste & Recycling will again be the title sponsor for the event. Other sponsors include Road ID and Hub+Weber Architects.
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