Most of the volunteers from the 2024 Austin Cares: Community Cleanup at the Mower County Senior Center before heading out to remove garbage from public spaces.

Volunteer cleanup set for Austin’s public spaces

3rd annual event to remove litter from shorelines, parks

April 11, 2025 — River shorelines, city parks, downtown streets and more public spaces in Austin will get cleaned up this month by dozens of volunteers.

For the third-straight year, Austin Cares: Community Cleanup will remove hundreds of pounds of litter and debris from most areas enjoyed by the public. This is a project led by United Way of Mower County, Cedar River Watershed District and Austin Parks & Recreation Department that drew more than 100 volunteers a year ago.

This cleanup is set for 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, starting at the Veterans Pavilion at Community Bandshell Park, 104 Ninth Place S.W. Volunteers can start checking in at 8:30 a.m. at the pavilion, where they can enjoy free coffee and doughnuts before heading out at any time.

“This truly is a feel-good event for all volunteers because they’re working together and seeing the results of their efforts to beautify the community,” said Karem Salas Ramirez, community impact coordinator for United Way of Mower County.

Volunteers removing litter in Austin’s Rotary Park in April 2024.

Volunteers removing garbage from a public area in Austin during the April 2024 annual cleanup.

Garbage bags will be provided along with a limited number of litter grabbers that help reach litter in difficult spots, such as in the water or in a tree branch.

“With Austin’s major flooding last June, there’s still debris around from that, including on branches, that makes our annual cleanup efforts even more needed,” said Tim Ruzek, Cedar River Watershed District’s outreach coordinator.

Most but not all of the garbage removed from Austin’s public spaces in April 2024 by more than 100 volunteers as part of the annual community cleanup.

Those interested in helping are encouraged to sign up online at uwmower.org/volunteer but walkups are welcomed the morning of the cleanup. For more information, contact the United Way at 507–437–2313.

Cleanup sponsors include Nord/Haus Real Estate Group, Runnings, Casey’s General Store and Caribou Coffee that have donated litter grabbers, trash bags, doughnuts and coffee for the volunteers.

Volunteers remove litter in April 2024 from the shoreline of the Cedar River State Water Trail in Austin’s South Driesner Park as part of the annual community cleanup.