Citywide Volunteer Events Set for April 19 & Earth Day, April 22
It’s time for the annual springtime Great Kansas City Cleanup! Each year, the City hosts two major cleanup efforts, one in the spring to celebrate Earth Day and another in the fall, to bring neighbors, volunteers, and city departments together in a shared effort to keep Kansas City clean, green, and beautiful.
This spring’s events are scheduled for Saturday, April 19 and Tuesday, April 22 (Earth Day). Volunteers from across the city—including neighborhood associations, community groups, businesses, students, and city staff—will join forces to clean up litter, remove invasive plants, and beautify public spaces.
“The Great Kansas City Cleanup is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when residents, neighborhoods, and city departments come together with a shared purpose. This isn’t just about picking up litter—it’s about building pride, strengthening communities, and honoring our collective commitment to a greener, more beautiful Kansas City,” City Manager Kimiko Gilmore said.
As a thank-you and an invitation to go even greener, volunteers can receive a free Kitchen Scrap Compost Bin at cleanup sites. It’s a meaningful Earth Day gift for residents who are already working to create a better planet. Learn more at kcmo.gov/compost.
Kansas City Parks Ambassadors and Partners are leading close to 60 cleanups during the two days, highlights include:
HIGHLIGHTS~Saturday, April 19
Troost Lake – Mayor Quinton Lucas will join volunteers to help clean up the area around Troost Lake and the surrounding corridor.
Eagle Scout Memorial Fountain – A large Eagle Scout crew will clean and enhance this historic location.
Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center – Volunteers from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority will be helping to lead cleanup efforts.
HIGHLIGHTS~ Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22
JE Dunn at Ilus Davis Park – Volunteers will spread mulch across from City Hall in a returning Earth Day partnership.
Gillham Park + KC Symphony Mobile Music Box– A litter cleanup followed by a live outdoor symphony performance at 6 p.m..
Penn Valley Park – Roughly 100 volunteers—including Boulevard Brewing Co.—will remove litter and graffiti. The event wraps with food, music, and non-alcoholic drinks from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
