Free neighborhood cleanups planned in Springfield

(From the City of Springfield)

The City of Springfield and Community Partnership of the Ozarks has again contracted with Republic Services to offer free neighborhood clean-ups for registered Springfield neighborhoods this fall and the spring of 2018.

The twice-yearly cleanups give residents the opportunity to dispose of bulky items such as mattresses, furniture, and appliances as well as yard waste, free of cost. They also offer a reason for neighbors to interact and get to know each other.

“Clean-ups are a great example of collaboration in action. They are only possible because of the support and commitment of numerous organizations and volunteers from across our community,” says CPO Neighborhood and Housing Stabilization Specialist Amanda Stadler, who coordinates the cleanups each year.

Five cleanups have already been completed in Grant Beach, Heart of the Westside, Rountree/Delaware, Tom Watkins and Greater Parkcrest.

Bissett’s, West Central’s and Oak Grove’s cleanups are coming up Oct. 21, Nov. 4 and Nov. 18.

Bissett’s fall cleanup is curbside only – meaning there will not be a centrally located dumpster as in years past. Instead, Republic Services will pick up furniture and other large items at the curb 8 a.m.-noon. No brush, leaves or appliances will be accepted. Residents are asked to have their items curbside by 7 a.m.

West Central’s dumpster will be located at Campbell Elementary, 506 S. Grant from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Nov. 4. Oak Grove’s dumpster will be at East Grand Church of Christ, 2220 E. Grant from 8 a.m. until noon Nov. 18.

Stadler said each year, neighborhood cleanups serve approximately 900 households and remove more than 175 tons of bulk waste (furniture, mattresses, appliances and other large items), scrap metal and brush from Springfield neighborhoods.

Greater Parkcrest neighborhood resident George Freeman posted to Greater Parkcrest Area Neighborhood Association’s Facebook group thanking the association and volunteers for the Oct. 14 cleanup.

“Just wanted to say thanks to all the well-organized volunteers led by our persistent president, Carol McCarthy, who turned out Saturday for the Greater Parkcrest Area Neighborhood Association cleanup. It's amazing what a few dedicated people have done with this group and some guidance from Amanda Stadler, liaison with the Community Partnership, who guides at least 17 neighbor associations in Springfield,” Freeman posted.

Greater Parkcrest President Carol McCarthy and several other residents of the neighborhood chimed in with their thanks.

The neighborhood cleanup program is part of the City’s Great Neighborhoods initiative and is eligible for points in the Great Neighborhoods recognition program, which awards yearly grants to registered neighborhood organizations to fund neighborhood improvements, such as parks enhancements and community gardens.

For more information about the program, visit springfieldmo.gov/

greatneighborhoods.