In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the success of the inaugural Eastside Spring Clean, which took place in April. Amanda Kemp, project manager for Travis County's sustainability team, presented the initiative aimed at enhancing the cleanliness of parks in East Austin, an extension of the long-standing Lake Travis cleanup event.

Tim Speyer from Travis County Parks highlighted the importance of maintaining clean landscapes and the collaboration with the Colorado River Alliance to mobilize volunteers for the cleanup. The event attracted 104 volunteers from various communities, who collectively removed approximately 1,100 pounds of trash and 145 pounds of recyclables from seven designated cleanup sites, including Richard Moya and Southeast Metro parks.

Katie Bedrich, program director for the Colorado River Alliance, emphasized the dual purpose of the event: not only to remove litter, particularly micro trash like confetti and bottle caps, but also to engage and educate community members about environmental stewardship. The event saw participation from diverse groups, including local churches and scout troops, fostering valuable community relationships.

Looking ahead, organizers noted the challenge of scheduling the cleanup during a busy Earth Day weekend and suggested potentially moving the event closer to Easter in future years to maximize participation and impact. The meeting concluded with a reminder of the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Lake Travis cleanup, set for September 15, with volunteer registration opening on July 15.