Equipped with maps, trash bags and gloves, Evanston residents took to downtown as part of Sunday’s Earth Day Clean Up.
More than 110 people registered for the fifth annual event co-hosted by nonprofit Downtown Evanston, The Woman’s Club of Evanston and BrightView Landscaping. Participants gathered in groups of five to 10 and were then assigned to one of about 15 routes around the area, according to Andy Vick, executive director of Downtown Evanston.
“It’s so nice to see other people taking care of their neighborhood. We’re also part of the neighborhood, and we’re helping them, so it feels more that we belong here,” said Tree Hiri-O-Tuppa, who participated in the event.
The cleanup began at Fountain Square, where participants picked up supplies and were assigned to a group leader. Groups then began their routes, taking paths down Davis Street and Hinman Avenue before circling back to drop off full trash bags in Fountain Square.
Sixth Ward resident and WCE member Barbara Dau said the event makes people feel like they’re participating in a “very prominent” issue.
“It’s to create the sense of community, a sense of taking care of our town together, but also to make people aware of Earth Day,” Dau said.
The event attracted members of numerous other community groups, including the Rotary Club, YMCA and Girl Scouts, according to WCE member Sheila Best.
Some participants said the job wasn’t very difficult.
“Evanston’s not too dirty, which makes it a good place to live, but I’m glad we can still help,” Evanston resident Rhiannon Flanagan-Rosario said.
Organizers said they hoped to attract more residents by adding all pre-registered participants to a drawing for a $100 electronic Evanston Gift Card, redeemable at around 60 Evanston businesses, including restaurants, retailers and service providers.
In addition to helping the environment, Vick said downtown businesses also benefited from the event because of the added foot traffic from volunteers.
“It also is a way to bring people into the downtown and expose them to the businesses,” he said. “Some people get coffee. Maybe at the end some people go have lunch.”
Fourth Ward resident Jim Bell said he’s been active in the community for years, and seeing others show up to events like these means that he’s not alone in his desire to care for Evanston. He added he observed that Evanston residents are “proud to be here.”
“The way we take care of our surroundings exemplifies how we view the world in which we want to live,” Bell said.
Email: [email protected]
Related Stories:
— ETHS students celebrate Earth Day with environmental justice panel
— Climate Action Evanston kicks off Earth Week with community celebration
