Mayor Garnett L. Johnson announced that Canal Cleanup Day will take place Saturday, Nov. 15, at 9 a.m. as part of his Operation City Clean-Up Initiative, with volunteers gathering at the canal gates near the Lake Olmstead stadium.
Coffee and refreshments will be provided by the Augusta Marriott, and the city will supply gloves and trash bags, according to a press release from the Office of Mayor Johnson.
“Let’s give back before we give thanks,” Johnson said in the release. “Canal Cleanup Day is about rolling up our sleeves and working together to cleanup a place that means so much to Augusta. It’s another step toward reaffirming the pride that defines the Garden City name.”
The Canal and Kayak Club of Augusta will assist by using canoes and kayaks to remove debris from the water, ensuring the banks and waterway remain safe for recreational use.
The initiative builds on Operation City Clean-Up, which unites government departments, law enforcement and community members to improve neighborhoods.
The program incorporates court-ordered service opportunities into public beautification projects, promoting civic pride and community investment, according to a press release from the Office of Mayor Johnson.
“This initiative is about more than just picking up trash,” Johnson said. “We are turning community service into a force for real change — improving neighborhoods and strengthening citywide partnerships.”
The First Saturday Clean-Up Crew, founded in 2006 by Commissioners Joe Bowles, Andy Cheek, Joe Jackson and Alvin Mason, will also support the event. In its first three years, the group collected more than 12 tons of trash from Aqueduct Park.
Volunteers are encouraged to participate and should wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes. All supplies will be provided.
