Get down & dirty with your neighbors!
A Grand Rapids tradition since 2009, the Community Cleanup brings neighbors, businesses, and organizations together each spring to care for the places we share.
Friday, May 1 & Saturday, May 2, 2026
Nearly 1,000 volunteers participated last year — help make 2026 the largest cleanup yet.
Celebrate together at the Volunteer After Parties following each cleanup day.
Two Days. One City. One Community.
2026 Community Cleanup
About the event
The Community Cleanup takes place across Grand Rapids over two days, with volunteers gathering at neighborhood check-in locations to help care for parks, streets, and public spaces across the city.
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Event Schedule
1:30 PM — Check-In Opens
Volunteers meet at their registered check-in location and receive their wristbands and supplies.
2:15 PM — Cleanup Begins
3:45 PM — Cleanup Wraps Up
Volunteers leave collected trash at designated pickup locations.
4:00 PM — Volunteer After Party Begins
Celebration Cinema Studio Park
6:00 PM — Event Ends
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Event Schedule
8:30 AM — Check-In Opens
Volunteers meet at their registered check-in location and receive their wristbands and supplies.
9:15 AM — Cleanup Begins
11:45 AM — Cleanup Wraps Up
Volunteers leave collected trash at designated pickup locations.
12:00 PM — Volunteer After Party Begins
John Ball Zoo
2:00 PM — Event Ends
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Volunteers sign up for a check-in location, which serves as the meeting point and coordination hub for their cleanup area.
At check-in, volunteers receive their wristbands, supplies, and cleanup instructions before heading out.
Example: Volunteers assigned to the West Leonard area meet at WGNO for check-in.
A full list of check-in locations will be available closer to when volunteer registration opens.
Subscribe to the Community Cleanup newsletter above to be notified when registration opens.
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Every cleanup volunteer receives a few perks as a thank-you for helping care for our city, including:
A volunteer wristband at check-in
• A meal ticket for use with local food vendors at the Volunteer After Party
• A raffle ticket for event prize drawings
• A John Ball Zoo pass, valid for one week after the event
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After each cleanup day, volunteers are invited to celebrate together at a Volunteer After Party.
Friday After Party
Celebration Cinema Studio Park
4:00 PM – 6:00 PMSaturday After Party
John Ball Zoo
12:00 PM – 2:00 PMBoth celebrations will include:
Free meal for cleanup volunteers
Games and activities for kids
Bounce houses
Music
Vendor and community resource booths
Beverage tent
Volunteers are invited to attend the after party following the cleanup day they participate in.
How You Can Help!
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Volunteer
Join neighbors across Grand Rapids for the 2026 Community Cleanup — now a two-day citywide effort.
Volunteer for the Community Cleanup and be part of one of the city's longest-running community traditions since 2009.
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, making it one of Grand Rapids' largest coordinated neighborhood cleanup efforts.
Businesses and organizations can demonstrate community leadership while supporting neighborhood beautification across the city.
Sponsorship provides meaningful visibility before, during, and after the event through promotions, recognition, and community engagement opportunities.
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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 kinds — 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 by a collaborative network of neighborhood organizations, community partners, and local leaders working together across Grand Rapids.
Additional organizations continue to join this growing citywide 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 citywide initiative, bringing together more than 1,000 volunteers across neighborhoods throughout Grand Rapids each year. In partnership with neighborhood associations, businesses, and community organizations, the cleanup continues to expand while remaining accessible to residents across the city.
Following each cleanup day, registered volunteers gather at the volunteer after party to celebrate their collective impact.