Park cleanup part of national effort

Columbia County is encouraging residents to battle litterbugs Saturday as part of the Great American Cleanup.

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The event will be held 9-11 a.m. and is aimed at the walking track and wooded areas at Blanchard Park on Dewey Drive in Martinez, said Columbia County Green Programs Manager Jenny Hinton.

"We're only looking for 15 volunteers," Hinton said. "It needs picking up, but we don't need like 50 people out there that day and not have enough for everybody to do."

The Great American Cleanup is an annual nationwide community involvement campaign started by Keep America Beautiful in 1999.

Each spring, millions of volunteers and thousands of Georgians participate by cleaning, restoring and beautifying their communities.

Last year, county volunteers cleaned up Goodale Park in Grovetown by picking up litter, cleaning graffiti, painting and doing general repairs around the park, Hinton said.

If residents want to participate but are unable to attend the cleanup at Blanchard Park, they can organize their own.

"We encourage them to clean up around their neighborhood, do a little pickup on their street or if they know an area that just needs to be cleaned up," Hinton said.

Cemeteries, parks, greenspaces or any other public areas are good places to clean up, she said.

Registration is required for volunteers joining the cleanup at Blanchard Park.

Supplies, including gloves, vests and bags, will be provided. Hinton said she'll provide supplies for others holding cleanups elsewhere if they contact her by Thursday.

To register or for information, contact Hinton at (706) 312-7195 or jhinton@columbia countyga.gov.