On April 12, around 80 participants braved unexpected snowfall to participate in the annual Wilbraham Earth Day Cleanup.
Volunteers focused on removing litter from Fountain Park and Tinkham Road, but safety concerns led the police department to advise against collecting trash from the roadway, deeming that it was unsafe at about 9:30 a.m.
The event was spearheaded by Megan Harrigan, the event chairman for Keep Wilbraham Beautiful, who has long been passionate about addressing litter in Wilbraham. Inspired by her family’s own roadside cleanups, she launched the town-wide effort three years ago.
“It’s something my family has done for years, and I thought it was about time that Wilbraham did it together,” Harrigan said.
What started as a grassroots initiative has gained momentum each year. Thanks to the support of community members, town committees, businesses, and organizations such as the Cub Scouts, the Wilbraham Children’s Museum, local churches, yoga studios, and even real estate offices, the event has expanded in both size and spirit.
This year brought a unique challenge: snow.
“We’ve done Earth Day cleanups in other towns, and this is the first time we’ve had snow. It’s definitely hard to see the trash today,” Jeffrey Smith, co-coordinator of the event, said.
It snowed steadily throughout the morning, coating grass and sidewalks and making trash collection more difficult. People trickled in slowly, with fewer volunteers arriving at once than in past years. By midmorning, there were around 80 participants.
Smith highlighted the remarkable community backing.
“We had over 100 people register, and we were expecting closer to 300 this year, but we are still glad people came despite the snow. It truly shows how much people care about this town.”
Despite the cold and falling snow, volunteers of all ages showed up with warm layers and high energy.
“This is what Wilbraham is all about,” said Tracey Plantier, who was working near the town green. “Even in the snow, we show up.”
About 10 to 20 people also collected litter despite snowy conditions, resulting in over 200 nips collected. Many attendees expressed their intent to continue litter collection in the coming weeks, especially in tree belts.
Participants appreciated the event for fostering community spirit and support, and several people shared how much they appreciate the event—not only because it helps clean the streets—but because it reminds them that they’re not alone and that others care, too.
Organizers hope to send the message that this event isn’t just about removing trash — it’s about sending a message.
“Our goal isn’t to collect more trash each year,” Smith said. (They collected 7,000 lbs of trash last year.) “Our success would be measured by collecting less because people stop littering.”
The cleanup has become a bonding experience for residents, too. From families like the Nichols and Cub Scout leaders like Jeff Choinski and Carrie Ann Stebenne, to volunteers like Jay Gagliarducci, everyone plays a role in preserving the town’s beauty.
As one young volunteer, Kayleigh, put it: “We’re part of the community — we want to keep our town clean. Let’s turn trash into something meaningful.”
Organizers have decided that there will be a Wilbraham Clean-Up Part 2 on Friday, May 3, 2025, between 8 a.m. to Noon. This event will be a low-key, self-serve litter pick-up at Fountain Park with no registration required.
The goal is to use up the remaining supplies including vests, grabbers, buckets, gloves, trash bags and ice cream cups that are already available at the park. A map will help volunteers track cleaned areas.
Harrigan’s family will also assist with set-up and participation, with a final decision on the event’s status being made on April 30 based on the weather forecast.
The CARE Art Piece also featured at the Clean Up generated excitement and discussions too, and community members are encouraged to contribute plastic waste to fill it.
Residents are reminded to stay safe, follow police guidelines, and take pride in even the smallest contributions to keeping Wilbraham beautiful. Let’s keep the energy going and continue making an impact together!
