City of Rochester News Release - Mayor Thomas S. Richards Launches Clean Sweep 2013; Community-Powered Beautification Project Now in 8th Year

City of Rochester

News Release

(Monday, April 15, 2013) – Mayor Thomas S. Richards today announced the dates and schedule for Clean Sweep 2013, the award-winning city beautification program powered by hundreds of citizen volunteers and City Environmental Services crews.

“Few programs can bring out the tremendous pride that Rochester’s citizens have shown in their community better than Clean Sweep,” Mayor Richards said. “These volunteers are a true inspiration. It is because of them that Clean Sweep continues to be successful.”

Since the program was launched in 2006, more than 25,000 volunteers have collected almost 900 tons of litter and debris and performed hundreds of beautification projects in city neighborhoods.

Groups and individuals gather over coffee and danish at a designated location in each city quadrant on four Saturdays in April and May. There, they receive a Clean Sweep t-shirt, tools and gloves and head out to dozens of project sites. Once on site, the volunteers perform such tasks as collecting litter, preparing flower beds or removing graffiti to beautify Rochester’s neighborhoods. The volunteers return to the staging ground at noon for a picnic lunch. City Environmental Service crews also remove graffiti, clean highway ramps and City properties, repair sidewalks and fill potholes.

The Clean Sweep Saturdays take place rain or shine from 9 a.m. to noon, with check in and registration beginning at 8:30 a.m.

The dates and staging areas for this year’s Clean Sweep program are:

  • April 27, Northwest, Edgerton Park, 41 Backus St.;
  • May 4, Southeast, Cobbs Hill Park, Norris Drive and Culver Road;
  • May 11, Southwest Genesee Valley Park, 131 Elmwood Ave.;
  • May 18, Northeast, Northeast Neighborhood Service Center, 500 Norton St.

The City is also supporting Scout Sweep on May 11, by providing t-shirts, tools and lunch to hundreds of Boy Scouts who will pick up litter and debris along city trails.

This year, residents can follow Clean Sweep on Twitter and volunteers will be encouraged to post pictures and updates from their project sites. Follow Clean Sweep at www.twitter.com/cityrochesterny, use hashtag (#) cleansweep.

Groups that would like to organize their own Clean Sweep projects to collect litter, rake tree lawns or perform special localized projects can call their Neighborhood Service Center (NSC) Quadrant Office. The City will provide suggested projects, tools and bags and mulch.

The NSC Office numbers are:

  • Northwest: 428-7620;
  • Northeast: 428-7660;
  • Southwest: 428-7630;
  • Southeast: 428-7640.

Volunteers can register by calling 311 or visiting www.cityofrochester.gov/cleansweep. Volunteers are asked to wear appropriate clothing, including hard-soled shoes and long pants. Gloves and tools will be provided, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own if possible.

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News Media: For more information, contact Paul Holahan at 428-6855.