Main Street Clean Sweep Initiative Revitalizes Lexington Park Through Community Effort

Community Volunteers Ignite Change through Main Street Clean Sweep in Lexington

Lexington Park Rebirth

On a warm Saturday morning in Lexington, local citizens of all ages gathered at Masterson Station Park for a community-led initiative, the Main Street Clean Sweep. This was the first of several cleanup events scheduled for the year. Despite being the 10th annual hosting of the initiative, this year held a unique distinction, marking the event’s grand return after a pause caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The atmosphere was vibrant, as the volunteers collected and disposed of old bottles, pieces of Styrofoam, and other litter scattered around the park’s green space.

Tom Godell, the charismatic volunteer coordinator, likened the event to a mini-festival aimed at revitalizing the park. “It’s kind of a little festival while we are making the park clean,” he noted cheerfully. Efforts led by volunteers like Godell and several others ensured the cleanliness of the park, affirming the importance of green spaces in the city.

Understanding the Impact of Litter

Also present at the event was Shayla Lynch, an active Council member for the second district, who shared her experience of the day with great enthusiasm. “You’ll be amazed at what people throw away, but we are keeping our environment clean.” She underscored the integral role humans play in the state of the environment and how our actions directly impact it. “We’ve had to serve our environment so our environment can serve us.”

Reaping the Rewards of Collective Efforts

As the afternoon sun began to set over Lexington, the hard work invested by the volunteers became apparent. The litter that once marred the park’s beauty was now gone, replaced by satisfying smiles of accomplishment from the volunteers. Tom Godell expressed his satisfaction saying, “It’s just wonderful to be able to see the green space that we have and to appreciate it.” His sentiment was echoed by other volunteers, as they looked upon their renewed park, free of the unsightly litter that had previously disrupted its tranquility.

Future Local Cleanup Events

The spirit of the Main Street Clean Sweep extends beyond the beautiful Masterson Station Park, with the next event scheduled for April 11 at the UK Campus in Lexington. Community members looking to give back and help keep their city clean are encouraged to join future events.