Help needed to beautify the city this weekend

Waltham’s annual citywide clean-up takes place this Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. This event provides a chance for residents to pitch in and help collect trash and debris from the city.

To join the clean-up, residents can meet Saturday at 9 a.m. at the rear of the Public Works building at 155 Lexington St. 

The effort aims to clean trash from the entirety of the city, so many hands are needed. Waltham residents can volunteer either as individuals or as a group and will be assigned an area to cover.

“Last year we had about 40 people sign up and many showed up on the day of the event. It turned out great. The volunteers really went above and beyond our expectations and did a fantastic job,” said Assistant Superintendent of Streets and Forestry Jeff Sutherland in an email to The Times. “This year we are looking at 70 to 100 volunteers. We hope to keep on growing this event every year.”

Trash bags and gloves will be provided for all participants. After collecting the trash, volunteers are asked to leave the bags in a visible spot for Public Works to pick up at a later time. 

Those interested are encouraged to register beforehand by emailing Sutherland at jsutherland@city.waltham.ma.us, but day-of sign-ups are also welcome.

“It’s a great opportunity for the community to come together to help keep Waltham clean,” Sutherland said.

UPDATE: Waltham Fields Community Farm WFCF and GROW (Green Rows of Waltham Community Gardens) are teaming up to support the City of Waltham’s annual citywide clean-up initiative on Saturday, April 26, at 11 a.m.

This effort will focus on the roadside area bordering WFCF and GROW’s community garden plots (Beaver and Linden streets), as there is a significant amount of litter from the roadway that has become entangled on the fence and brush.

Signing up through this link is appreciated but not required.

The 26th annual Charles River Earth Day cleanup is at capacity, but those wishing to help can join the citywide and WFCF and GROW clean-up.