Get ready to roll up your sleeves, Minneapolis, because Earth Day is about to get a whole lot cleaner. This Saturday, April 19, from 9:30 am to 12 pm, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) invites locals to participate in the 2025 Minneapolis Earth Day Cleanup. With a no-registration policy, volunteers simply need to show up at one of the 42 designated park sites across the city; the rest, including bags and gloves, will be taken care of by park staff or volunteers, according to a bulletin released by MPRB.
While giving back to the community and pitching in for the betterment of the environment, participants should make sure they're dressed for the task; comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate attire are suggested, and while bending to pick up debris expect to traverse grassy and uneven terrains, Minneapolis Solid Waste and Recycling will ensure all gathered refuse is disposed of correctly. City parking meters and lots are a worry-free zone until 1 pm—just make sure it's an MPRB spot you're sliding into. The MPRB bulletin notes the importance of staying hydrated and energized with your own water and snacks.
Children are more than welcome as long as they are accompanied by an adult, which can be a great way to instill environmental stewardship in the younger generation. Caution is advised for items that pose potential hazards: heavy, sharp, or hazardous objects discovered during the cleanup should not be handled directly, instead, volunteers are instructed to take a photo and note the location for MPRB staff to take over, reads the MPRB statement.
Acknowledging time as a valuable commodity, MPRB emphasizes that any contribution, regardless of duration, is appreciated—whether you can stay for the whole event or just a fraction of it, your participation counts. The 2025 Minneapolis Earth Day Cleanup is backed by sponsors including Owens Corning, CurbSide Landscape & Irrigation, and Hero Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical; their support is pivotal in making the event a success.
