Clean Sweep
About Clean Sweep
Clean Sweep Saturday is held each spring at Innovative Field. Volunteers will gather to collect a free Clean Sweep T-shirt, eat a light breakfast and get their assignments before heading out to project sites in city neighborhoods. Mayor Malik Evans will greet volunteers and pose for a group photo.
Volunteers will also receive a free ticket to that day's Red Wings baseball game, which starts that afternoon.
They'll also receive a voucher for food and drink at the game and free parking will be available to those wearing Clean Sweep t-shirts. Student volunteers can receive Participation in Government certificates.
What to expect
Since it was first launched in 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers have participated in Clean Sweep, working alongside City crews to remove winter debris and litter from city neighborhoods. Volunteers also plant flowers, prune trees and perform other neighborhood beautification projects. City crews also remove graffiti, clean City-owned properties, repair sidewalks and fill potholes.
Volunteers are encouraged to sign up in advance by calling 311 or using the Clean Sweep registration form, but everyone is welcome to join the day of the event, too!
Please wear appropriate clothing, including hard-soled shoes and long pants. Gloves and tools will be provided, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own if possible.
What to expect
- Volunteers park free during Clean Sweep and the game in the Oak Street lot. Transportation is provided from Innovative Field to projects and back.
- Come in the main entrance and find your group or join a project.
- Pick up your free t-shirt, coffee, juice, muffins and danish.
- Take a seat in the stands for Mayor Malik Evans welcome and the group photo.
- Buses leave Innovative Field at 9 a.m.
- Work gloves, tools and bags are provided at each job site.
- Buses bring volunteers back to Innovative Field for the game.
- All are welcome. Call 311 (585-428-5990) to report a special need.
Clean Sweep is community in action!
- Reconnect with old friends and make new ones.
- Do some team-building with your neighborhood association, church group, school group, club, team, family or civic organization.
- Get volunteer credit (ex: for Participation in Government class).
- Residents can take advantage of Clean Sweep, too. Place yard debris at the curb and a City crew will soon come by to retrieve it.
- City crews remove graffiti, clean City properties, repair sidewalks and fill potholes during the event.
Respect Rochester: How to get involved
Organize a Mini Sweep
Mini Sweeps are mini–Clean Sweep events, organized by the community and supported by the City. Contact your Neighborhood Service Center to schedule your Mini Sweeps. Mini Sweeps can help you and your block club or neighborhood organization improve an area that needs a little love.
Start a Block Club
Block Clubs are a wonderful way of engaging with your neighbors to work together and improve your neighborhood. The 19th Ward in Southwest Rochester has an awesome website with great ideas to get you started!
Join Walking for Rochester
Walking for Rochester strives to inspire everyday people to prevent and eliminate litter in Rochester. The group hosts community clean ups, corporate clean ups and much more.
Help Remove Graffiti
The "Defacer Eraser" program removes graffiti from City-owned structures in the right-of-way like litter receptacles, benches, and trees. The City also removes graffiti from structures on private property like buildings.
Know your Refuse and Recycling Schedule
The Solid Waste Management Division is proud to provide Rochester residents and businesses with the best refuse and recycling collection service possible, including up to date scheduling, how to replace bins, and how to order a litter basket for high-foot traffic areas.
Report Illegal Dumping
If you witness illegal dumping on public land within the city of Rochester, report the incident to 311 (if you are calling from outside the city limits, call 585-428-5990). You can help keep your neighborhood or place of business neat and tidy!
Get That Vacant Lot Cleaned Up!
Is there a vacant lot in your neighborhood or commercial corridor that is an eyesore? Whether it is a City or privately owned lot we are here to help.
Get Help with an Extra Trash Pick-Up
You can now call for an extra service and we’ll provide collection on the next business day!
- Tenants moving out before the next collection day?
- Having a gathering that will generate extra trash?
- Want to do some cleaning and have debris removed before the next service day?