Beautify Fresno highlights 2.5M pounds of trash removed, commissioners urge deeper outreach to West Fresno

Mark Standriff, director of Beautify Fresno for the City of Fresno, told the commission on Oct. 27 that crews proactively removed more than 2.5 million pounds of trash in FY25, and that the campaign engaged roughly 9,000 volunteers across more than 150 events. Standriff said Fresno was designated the first Clean California community in the state in part because of the program—s volunteer and cleanup efforts.

Standriff highlighted several related accomplishments funded or supported in part by Measure P and city efforts: the Romaine Park mural project (artwork at the community center and along Highway 180), proactive trash removal rather than reactive response to requests, and partnerships with community groups to host cleanups at River West and Martin Park. He said Beautify Fresno had deployed crews to remove dumped materials and sometimes used heavy equipment for large debris removal.

Commissioners and public commenters pressed for clearer outreach and inclusion of West Fresno residents (ZIP code 93706) in riverfront cleanup events. Commissioner speakers suggested the program improve advance publicity, coordinate transportation (chartered buses or partner vans) and partner with community-based organizations, youth programs and local churches to increase participation. Commissioner Treiglio offered to share partner contacts and said community groups such as Faith in the Valley and Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce might help with transportation and volunteer recruitment.

A public commenter, Lisa Flores, also urged more dog-friendly cultural programming tied to parks (for example, movie nights at dog parks) and volunteered to help scope shade improvements at the Roding Park dog park.

Standriff said Beautify Fresno coordinates with the San Joaquin River Conservancy on riverfront events and described an upcoming Nov. 22 event that Beautify Fresno will publicize through mailing lists and media partners. He and commissioners agreed that transportation and targeted outreach are challenges to increase participation from West Fresno and that further partnerships could help address them.

Commissioners requested clearer documentation and earlier publication of capital-improvement budgets tied to specific projects; a public commenter asked whether Measure P funds would be used for proposed multi-level parking structures in a park and said capital documents were difficult to access with the agenda. Staff said they would follow up on document accessibility.