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Hanley Sustainability Institute

Kettering Park Clean-Up: Fostering community engagement through the environment

By Kelsey Frantz

As the global climate continues to change, the importance of working to reduce our impact on the environment has become increasingly evident. For positive environmental change to happen, individuals have to feel connected with nature. People need to develop a meaningful relationship with the world around them to effectively address sustainability and environmental issues. 

As the Hanley Sustainability Institute Community Fellow, I have been working throughout the summer to advance the City of Kettering’s sustainability initiatives. Much of the research I have done has shown that impactful community engagement is a vital part of creating a sustainable city. Because of this, I decided to lead the city in holding a local clean-up as a way of connecting with residents. I collaborated with Ant Brown, the city’s Parks Manager, to confirm the time of the event and reserve the Kettering Volunteer Trailer containing all of the necessary clean-up materials. I also worked closely with Kettering Volunteer Administrator Dawn Kirchner and Assistant Volunteer Administrator Lindsy Curry to select the location and post an online sign-up sheet. 

Kettering has been a regional leader in environmental efforts for several years. Just last year, the city officially introduced its own Sustainability Committee tasked with advocating for sustainable projects within the Kettering community. Kettering has also been fortunate enough to have a very active volunteer program. In the city’s 2023 annual report, the Kettering Volunteer Office helped to organize dozens of community events resulting in 9,000 hours of recorded volunteer service. The willingness to give back and the strong work ethic of Kettering citizens is what makes the volunteer program so successful. Utilizing this program to promote a clean environment is a wonderful way for the city to work toward a more sustainable future. 

Community clean-ups have an impact beyond making the landscape more aesthetically pleasing. By hosting clean-up events regularly, cities can reduce the amount of waste that enters habitats and waterways. The collection of discarded trash helps ensure that waste is properly separated and disposed of. Regardless of where the waste ends up (whether it is composted, recycled or sent to the landfill), it's most important that waste doesn’t end up in local ecosystems. Keeping the environment clean protects wildlife and encourages habitat development. 

There also are several benefits of community clean-ups beyond the environmental scope. Bringing residents together to work toward a common goal is a great way to develop a more connected community. It’s also a good opportunity for cities to communicate and interact with their residents. Working side by side with community members allows municipal leaders to connect with stakeholders and better understand their expectations for the future. For Kettering in particular, community clean-ups are the perfect place to have open discussions about the city’s goals for local sustainability. 

HSI, Kettering, 2024

On July 20, a group of local volunteers gathered to spend their Saturday morning making a difference in the Kettering community. Fortunately, the weather was perfect for spending time outside. Participants of all ages were invited to meet in Indian Riffle Park with one goal in mind: pick up as much trash as possible. There were a total of 11 volunteers who showed up ready to help out. All participants were divided into groups of two or three and given resources from the Kettering Volunteer Trailer. Materials included buckets, gloves and trash grabbers. The city also provided water and snacks for participants to enjoy during their time in the park. 

The volunteers worked for almost an hour, walking throughout the park, and looking in every corner for discarded waste. Once they were done, everyone came back to the trailer to return their materials and dump their buckets of garbage into one large bag. After all of the trash was combined, we were able to measure how much total waste the volunteers collected by weighing the garbage bag. The group was able to collect a total of nine pounds of waste from throughout the park. When observing the trash that had been picked up, the most commonly found items appeared to be plastic bottles and candy wrappers. Many volunteers also pointed out that the most heavily littered areas were along the tree line surrounding the edge of Indian Riffle Park. This valuable information can help the City of Kettering in planning more efficient park clean-ups in the future. Overall, the time spent in Indian Riffle Park was a great opportunity for community members to work together and have a positive impact on the local environment. 

As one of the leaders of the project, I found the entire experience to be extremely rewarding. I have participated in many clean-up events in the past, but this was my first time helping to lead one. Giving others the opportunity to make a difference is a great feeling. With the beautiful weather and good turn-out, this experience was truly a success. I was able to discuss sustainability with several community members and gain a better understanding of what they want from their city.

Leading this clean-up not only helped residents connect with nature, but it also helped me connect with the Kettering community. 

Events such as this are not limited to municipalities like Kettering. All it takes is some cooperation and planning, and anyone can host a clean-up event. Whether it’s in a local park or throughout your neighborhood, having a community clean-up is a perfect way to connect with others for the common good. Next time you want to spend time with your friends, family or colleagues consider inviting them to participate in a clean-up. Even if you’re looking to do something yourself, cleaning up the environment doesn’t always have to be a group activity. Being sustainable starts at the individual level. You can participate in clean-ups, make sure your waste ends up in the proper bins or simply pick up littered trash when you see it. No matter how small the task, working to keep your community clean is a great way to support the local environment and make a difference in the world around you.

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