Holly Springs Tree Commission schedules Great American Cleanup for Oct. 11 at JB Owens Park

The Holly Springs Tree Commission voted on Sept. 9 to hold the 2025 Great American Cleanup on Oct. 11 at JB Owens Park, with a planned start around 8 a.m. and a likely end near 11 a.m. Member (Speaker 1) moved for the date and location and the motion carried after a second.

The commission opened the discussion by reviewing last year’s event date and whether the town needed to follow any national schedule; Speaker 3 noted the town participates in the national Great American Cleanup but handles local logistics such as supplies and trash bag procurement. Members raised safety concerns about returning to Ash Street because it is busy and lacks sidewalks, and they discussed holding the event on a Saturday to maximize attendance.

Organizational details were assigned during the meeting. Members discussed use of paper liability waivers, outreach beyond social media and potential volunteer sources including Girl Scouts. Speaker 2 offered to publicize the event on local scout pages and community outlets. Speaker 1 said they would contact a former mayor to explore scout involvement and other outreach options.

Commission members also discussed timing and the potential conflict with other community cleanups; they agreed to proceed with Oct. 11 and to aim for a family-friendly, roughly three-hour event. Staff and volunteers will finalize start and end times, secure any required waivers and coordinate trash pickup and drop-off stations.

The commission did not set a detailed equipment or supply list at the meeting; members asked the person leading logistics to return with specifics and volunteer outreach plans at a future meeting.