Wasilla and Palmer promoting annual cleanup days

WASILLA — Spring has officially sprung and now that all the snow has melted away, the time has come to start cleaning up unsightly piles of trash.

The cities of Palmer and Wasilla are planning to keep their annual traditions going in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak.

Both cities had to cancel their post cleanup barbecues to follow the state’s social distancing mandates, but officials stated this is still a great way for individuals and families to get out of the house.

2020 Wasilla Community Cleanup Days

The City of Wasilla Cleanup Days run from May 4 to May 9.

Director of Recreation Services Joan Klapperich said that she’s excited to see Valley residents come together to help brighten the local parks, right of way, and public lands around Wasilla. She said that she’s especially excited to see the families come out, saying there are numerous households who participate in cleanup days each year.

“It’s about taking pride in where we live,” Klapperich said.

Cleanup participants can pick up free yellow bags from Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling at Wasilla City Hall, Menard Sports Center, Wasilla Museum, or the Wasilla Chamber of Commerce. Participants can also use any trash can liner they have on hand.

Families are required to provide their own personal protection and safety gear. Participants are also advised to bring their own tarps, ropes, bungee cords, and straps so they need to secure their loads during transportation.

Once people fill their bags, they can take them to the city’s designated dumpster located in the Iditapark by Wonderland. The dumpster will be labeled ‘Clean Up Days’ and it can be found in the parking lot next to the basketball courts off of Nelson Avenue.

The designated drop off times are from 5 to 7 p.m. daily from May 4 to May 8, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 9. City officials will monitor the dumpsters to ensure no household garbage, car parts, appliances, or hazardous materials gets dropped off. Participants are also asked to avoid dropping off any unattended bags at the dumpster site.

City of Palmer Cleanup Days

The City of Palmer’s Clean Up Days begins Monday, May 4. Palmer residents have already received mail notifying them about the cleanup days and encourage them to spend the week cleaning up trash.

“The community always looks better afterwards,” Palmer Greater Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ailis Vann said.

The City of Palmer and the Chamber collaborate to facilitate the cleanup days each year, according to Vann.

The community cleanup day itself taking place May 9 at the pavilion across from the Palmer Museum of History and Art.

Vann said they may not be able to hold their annual barbeque to celebrate all the volunteer’s efforts, but they can still offer another tradition. Each year, participating children can enter to win a new bike. There will be one bike for a girl and one for a boy given away this year.

Boy and girl bike giveaway

Vann also noted that cleaning up the community is not limited to cleanup week. She encourages the public to keep the momentum going and try to pick up trash wherever they go, whether it’s walking around the neighborhood or taking a hike up a mountain trail.

“It’s still springtime and there’s still garbage out,” Vann said.

For both Palmer and Wasilla, cleanup participants are asked to follow all the social distancing mandates like limiting close contact and staying at least six feet away from each other. They’re also encouraged to wear masks if they have any.

‘Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com