Does Cleaning the Park Make a Difference? Yes!

“City parks provide access to recreational opportunities, increase property values, spur local economies, combat crime, and protect cities from environmental impact,” according to City Parks Alliance . These are just a few of the reasons why keeping Norwalk’s parks clean and beautiful is important! So what can we all do to help?

Every summer, our AMC family comes together to clean up our parks and beaches. While COVID-19 restrictions are keeping us from gathering in person this year, we’re still moving this tradition forward!

On July 25, we are asking everyone to conduct their own park or beach cleanup with members of their household. We’ll be joining you too—from at least six feet away per current social distancing guidelines! Together, we can preserve and beautify these areas that are so important in sustaining our wonderful city! Here are the benefits of cleanup and the supplies and safety precautions you’ll need.

The Immediate Benefits of Park Cleanup

As mentioned above, maintaining clean parks and beaches can benefit communities in great ways! Additionally, participating in a park or beach cleanup can immediately benefit us individually as well!

For starters, park cleanup is a great way to get some fresh air and add some exercise to your day. Bending, squatting, and hauling the trash around can give your body a unique workout. And, as a side note, if you jog while you pick up trash, you will have joined the Swedish fitness craze called “plogging” !

Second, trash cleanup can be a very satisfying activity, according to Kara Lavender Law, a research oceanography professor. “There is satisfaction to say, ‘ I removed ten pounds of trash from my beach ,’” she says. “Even if it’s only ten pounds, that’s ten pounds that isn’t going to go into the open ocean.”

So, head to Rio San Gabriel or Independence Parks or take a trip to Seal or Junipero Beaches, and enjoy the added exercise- and satisfaction-related benefits of park cleanup!

Supplies You’ll Need

Now that you’ve set July 25 aside—or another July day that works best for you—it’s time to gather su p p l ies for your cleanup :

How to Promote Safety

With COVID-19 guidelines still in place, your cleanup crew might be small this year, with just your roommates or immediate family members lending a hand. If you’re inviting additional friends or extended family to join you in your cleanup, consider this CDC advice: “When guests arrive, minimize gestures that promote close contact. For example, don’t shake hands, do elbow bumps, or give hugs. Instead wave and verbally greet them.” In keeping with California’s mask mandate , wear your mask “when maintaining a physical distance of 6 feet from persons who are not members of the same household or residence is not feasible.”

Cleaning up beaches and parks really makes a difference and is a fun and memorable summer activity. So join us for our beach and park cleanup effort on July 25 or anytime during the month of July! Tag The Courtyards Apartments in your photos and use the hashtags #AMCcleanup and #livehappy. We can’t wait to see the difference you are making!