Get down & dirty with your neighbors!
City-Wide Locations Across Grand Rapids
Join nearly 1,000 volunteers working together to keep Grand Rapids clean and vibrant.
Get involved as a volunteer, sponsor, or donor.
Celebrate at the Volunteer Block Party at John Ball Zoo after the cleanup.
2026 Community Cleanup
Friday, May 1 & Saturday, May 2, 2026
About the event
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2026 cleanup district locations will be announced soon. Please check back for updates.
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Volunteers meet at their registered district site for check-in and get their Wristbands.
Check-in - 8:30 AM
Cleanup starts at 9:15 AM
Attendees will leave their trash in designated locations (Signed for pickup)
Cleanup portion ends at 11:45 AM
Volunteer Block Party at John Ball Zoo Starts - 12:00 PM
Event ends - 2:00 PM
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A block party for volunteers at John Ball Zoo after the cleanup will include:
Free meal for cleanup volunteers
Games and Activities for Kids
A Bounce House for Kids
Music
Vendor & Resource Booths
Non-Alcoholic Beverage Tent
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Each cleanup volunteer will get perks for their participation, including:
A wrist band at check-in
A meal ticket - Good for use with the local food vendors at the Block Party
A free raffle ticket
John Ball Zoo pass good for one week from the day of the event.
How You Can Help!
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Volunteer
Join us in making Grand Rapids clean and vibrant this spring.
Volunteer for the Community Cleanup and be part of one of the city’s longest-running community traditions. Join hundreds of neighbors working across multiple districts throughout Grand Rapids.
After registering, please check your email for confirmation and event details.
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Sponsor
Nearly 1,000 volunteers participated in last year’s Community Cleanup.
The event is now one of Grand Rapids’ largest coordinated neighborhood cleanup efforts.
Businesses can align their brand with this city-wide effort while supporting neighborhood beautification.
Sponsorship offers meaningful visibility throughout the event and related promotions.
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Transportation
Learn about transportation options for the Community Cleanup and discover local initiatives that support environmental stewardship throughout the year.
Planning ahead for sustainable travel helps reduce environmental impact and strengthens our city’s long-term commitment to a cleaner future.
Discover ways to make Earth Day actions part of everyday habits.
Support the Cleanup
Strong neighborhoods are built by neighbors like you.
Since 2009, community members across Grand Rapids have made the Community Cleanup possible through support of all sizes — and this year continues that tradition. Your donation funds supplies, tools, volunteer coordination, and neighborhood beautification across the city.
Every gift helps power this citywide effort.
You can also share the fundraiser or create your own fundraising team — rallying friends, classmates, coworkers, or family to strengthen neighborhoods across Grand Rapids. Simply select “Start a Fundraiser” on the donation page.
Be part of what makes this day possible.
Meet the Cleanup Committee
The Community Cleanup is coordinated through a collaborative network of neighborhood organizations, community partners, and local leaders working together across Grand Rapids.
Additional organizations continue to join this growing city-wide effort each year.
History
The Community Cleanup began in 2009 as a grassroots effort led by west side residents working alongside their neighbors.
Since then, the event has grown into a city-wide initiative, bringing together more than 1,000 volunteers across multiple neighborhoods throughout Grand Rapids. In partnership with neighborhood associations, businesses, and community organizations, the cleanup continues to expand while remaining accessible to residents across the city.
Following the cleanup, registered volunteers gather at John Ball Zoo to celebrate their collective impact.