GARLAND, TX — On Saturday, May 3, the City of Garland hosted its 4th Annual Duck Creek Litter Cleanup, with 132 volunteers spanning six sites along the Duck Creek Greenbelt. Together, they contributed 528 hours of service and removed 2,740 pounds of litter — a community contribution valued at over $17,400. The event concluded with a Volunteer Appreciation Picnic at Audubon Park, where participants gathered to celebrate what has become the largest and most successful cleanup effort in the program’s history.
“This event was more than just about trash — it was about people,” said Josue Diaz, Volunteer Coordinator for the City of Garland. “We saw families, students, nonprofits, city staff, and businesses all working side by side to restore our natural spaces. That’s what community looks like.”
The City extends its sincere gratitude to the many organizations and departments that made this effort possible. Special thanks to our dedicated site captains from Keep Garland Beautiful, Skatepark Respect, ECOLAB, Parks & Recreation, and Andersen Windows & Doors. Additional thanks go to the Stormwater Department and Sanitation Department for sponsoring food, logistics, and roll-off containers.
Caitlyn Godfrey, Outreach Specialist for the Volunteer Office and representative of Skatepark Respect, played a key leadership role in coordinating the event’s many moving parts.
“Being in the creek and connecting with the community has always been a passion of mine,” said Godfrey. “It’s inspiring to see so many people come together to protect a place that belongs to all of us.”
In addition to its environmental impact, the cleanup also marked a significant milestone in the evolution of Garland’s Volunteer Program. This event concluded the successful pilot phase of the City’s new volunteer management system, which will now serve as the official volunteer portal for Garland residents.
Official Launch: Garland Volunteer Program
The Volunteer Garland Program officially launches June 1, providing a streamlined and accessible way for residents to sign up for opportunities, track service hours, and engage in meaningful community projects across the city. Start your volunteer journey at www.VolunteerGarland.org
Want to See the Cleanup in Action? View the full event photo album: https://albums.memento.com/duckcreeklittercleanup2025
Join Us for the Next Cleanup! Registration is now open for the next event: https://www.volunteergarland.org/need/detail/?need\_id=1057793
Media Contact:
Josue Diaz
Volunteer Coordinator
City of Garland
972-205-3583
[email protected]
www.VolunteerGarland.org
