Friday, May 3, 2024
The great Granbury cleanup is almost here, and the city is searching for volunteers to help keep Granbury clean.
This will be the second time for this cleanup after city councilman Steven Vale originally came up with the idea. The first cleanup happened in April and was a huge success with over 200 people participating.
“An idea with no action is just an idea,” Vale, creator behind the group said during a city council meeting on May 2. “Two thousand pounds of litter were collected in the city. We are a community in unity."
According to the Texas Department of Safety, “Each year, approximately 362 million pieces of visible litter pile up along state-maintained highways. Seventy percent of this litter is small trash like napkins, cigarette butts and fast-food wrappers. In 2021, litter cleanup efforts cost more than $50 million.”
For the cleanup, teams of four or more people at least 7 years of age are needed. The suggested ratio is at least one supervisor for every child under 15. At least one adult must be present for minors aged 15 to 18.
Each individual on a team will receive a trash bag and a safety vest, and the team leader will be given a map of the public area to clean up.
Vests are required to be worn at all times during the cleanup and it is required for each individual to wear gloves. Leather gloves are recommended to protect the individual from any poisonous plants, insects and sharp objects that may be encountered.
It is recommended those who participate also wear closed-toed shoes, long pants, long sleeves, and a hat.
It is also important to remain safe along the highway while cleaning up. Some recommendations include not stopping or parking your vehicle along the highway and staying in the right-of-way. Watch your footing and stay off or away from steep slopes, trenches, and drop-offs.
Groups should also keep five feet of distance between themselves and the edge of the pavement and work facing traffic. Never walk on guardrails and do not lean over bridge railings.
It’s also important to not pick up items on bridges, tunnels, or overpasses. Do not pick up anything that can be hazardous such as needles, glass, animal carcasses or heavy objects.
Volunteers also need to be sure to have plenty of water available and remain hydrated throughout the cleanup.
“I’m excited that we are building upon the success of the first ‘Great Granbury Clean-Up’ in April when volunteers collected more than a ton of trash from roadsides. I hope we’ll again see families, teams from service groups, business associates, church groups, and individuals join our elected officials and city staff in this organized effort. It makes a big difference in the city,” City Manager Chris Coffman said.
To sign up, a Google Docs form is required to be filled out. For those under 18, a consent form must also be filled out and signed by a parent or guardian. Both forms can be found at granbury.org/cleanup.
To suggest cleanup locations immediately adjacent to the road along US Highway 377 or SH 144, please email them to pio@granbury.org.
The cleanup will take place on Oct. 28 at 8:30 a.m. starting at Hewlett Park located at 650 East Pearl Street.
