By Heather Williams, MAP Task Force 2 Leader—
Muncie, IN—With the winter snows melted and the ground beginning to burst with color, the site of trash and debris hidden by the winter has become an eyesore. Spring is the perfect time to organize volunteers to beautify our city’s streets, alleys, and sidewalks. Muncie’s neighborhood associations partner with the Muncie Sanitary District each spring and fall to coordinate cleanups and those are set to begin on Saturday, May 8th and continue for the next two weekends.
Cleanups are scheduled for the following neighborhoods:
May 8th
McKinley – Meet at 8 a.m. at Destiny Christian Academy Central Daycare, 700 N. Jefferson St.
Morningside – Meet at 8 a.m. at Morningside/Erwin Davis Memorial Park, 2100 E. Cornell Ave.
May 15th
Whitely – Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Roy C. Buley Center, 1111 N. Penn St.
Riverside/Normal City – Meet at 8:00 a.m. at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 610 N. Reserve St.
East Central – Meet at 8:00 a.m. at the corner of Main and Vine St.
Old West End – Meet at 7:45 a.m. at Clifton-Wallace Park, 505 W. Charles St.
May 22nd
Industry – Meet at 7:45 a.m. at the Heekin Park Shelter at Penn and 9th St.
South Central – Meet at 7:45 a.m. at the corner of 7th and Jefferson St.
Southside – Meet at 8:00 a.m. at Gibson’s Skating Arena, 2610 S. Mock Ave.
Minnetrista – Meet at 9:00 a.m. at 1301 N. Jefferson St.
Through MAP’s Neighborhood Leadership Council, association leadership from across the city have enjoyed learning from Ball State University’s College of Communication, Information and Media students about advocacy and how to be an ally. Neighborhood cleanups are a perfect opportunity to show up for each other, to come out and help keep our city beautiful for every resident. All neighborhoods participating in the upcoming cleanups need volunteers – they need you!
During the spring 2021 cleanups, the City of Muncie is also sponsoring “Dumpster Days” in several neighborhoods to coincide with their volunteer cleanup efforts. Dumpsters will be placed and are free for residents to dispose of large items. Restrictions are placed on liquids, appliances containing Freon, asbestos, chemicals, and tires. The Delaware County Office of Information and GIS Services has created an online map showing where the dumpsters will be placed, as well as a searchable map to find a dumpster closest to your location.
Dumpster Days have been successful in removing large amounts of trash throughout South Central and Thomas Park/Avondale neighborhoods in partnership with the 8twelve Coalition. According to Lezlie McCrory, South Central Neighborhood Association President, “In years past, our neighborhood found providing a free, accessible way for neighbors to tackle their own cleaning projects was worth our resources pursuing grant funding. Having the city see the value in providing a way for neighbors to upkeep their property in this way is a blessing!”
The City’s involvement is spearheaded by Steve Selvey, City of Muncie Building Commissioner who has placed an emphasis on cleaning Muncie’s neighborhoods this spring. The Building Commissioner’s Office is the enforcement agency for all complaints of trash and debris, weeds and rank vegetation, homes unfit for human habitation, and vacant and abandoned properties. This inaugural City-led Dumpster Days will help residents clean their homes and yards, and according to Lezlie McCrory, “Having what have been special projects become systemized in this way lifts some of the burden from neighborhood groups and shows good listening and partnership from the City.”
For more information about the City of Muncie’s sponsored Dumpster Days, please contact the Building Commissioner’s Office at (765)747-4862.
