South of 6 Iowa City Business District news release
Iowa City, IA. – The annual South District Team Up to Clean Up is happening on Sunday, April 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. To join, register and simply meet up at Faith Academy, 1030 Cross Park Ave. in Iowa City.
The South of 6 Iowa City Business District has teamed up with the University of Iowa events management certification class, United Way of Johnson and Washington Counties and other partners to continue this neighborhood tradition. Plus, as part of Day of Caring, Hawkeye athletes from the Women’s Soccer and Swimming & Diving will join the team to clean up on this Earth Day weekend. Volunteers will engage in tasks ranging from trash collection, mulching and other clean up activities at their assigned site located on the south side of town.
Seven years ago, the South District Neighborhood Association spearheaded a collaborative effort bringing residents together to plant flowers and pick up trash along Broadway Street. South District resident, Autumn McConeghey shares, “It’s an opportunity to give back and feel a sense of stewardship over the shared spaces that we all get to enjoy. The community, the native plants and animals, we all benefit from beautifying and caring for these spaces”. The grassroot tradition has grown to include several sites in the South District to clean up while building neighborhood pride through creating change together.
This year, five sites have been identified for volunteers to serve:
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Broadway Street Flower beds, next to “Our Children Spoke” neighborhood mural
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Future site of the Iowa City Community Theatre on Pepperwood Lane
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Resilient Sustainable Futures of Iowa City’s Nexus building location on Keokuk Street
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Sycamore Greenway Trail that runs throughout the neighborhood
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Wetherby Park Edible Forest off of Taylor Drive
Register to join the team effort using the link: https://shorturl.at/cdpD6.
Volunteers will meet up at the Faith Academy next to the playground before locating to their assigned site. They should wear clothes and closed-toed shoes that can get a little dirty, bring gardening gloves and tools if available. Volunteers will receive a snack and T-shirt while supplies last. All ages are welcome, though children need to be accompanied by a caretaker. Get ready to join the team and create change together!
This event is made possible by the generous sponsorship from MidwestOne Bank, Hills Bank, Hy-Vee and Resilient Sustainable Future of Iowa City and partnerships with community organizations. Those collaborating partners this year include: Backyard Abundance, City of Iowa City, Faith Academy, Iowa City Community Theatre, Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity, Master Gardeners of Johnson County, Moms Demand Action, South District Neighborhood Association, Sycamore Greenway Friends, and the University of Iowa.