Meriden Teens Give Up Break to Clean City Parks

While most ninth-graders were sleeping in during school break, students from Francis T. Maloney High School grabbed trash bags and headed to Meriden Green.

The teens joined one of the city's regular cleanup days, happening every few weeks to combat the growing litter problem across Meriden's nearly 30 parks. As warmer weather draws more visitors outdoors, trash left behind after winter is becoming impossible to ignore.

Cassidy Dolan and Juliette Ortiz, both freshmen volunteers, said they know their effort matters. "I feel like it's benefiting because you're helping a little bit and a little goes a long way," Dolan explained. Ortiz agreed, adding that even small actions make the parks look nicer for everyone.

Chris Bourbon, director of Meriden Parks and Recreation, said the city couldn't maintain its 3,000 acres of parkland without community help. His small team serves hundreds of visitors daily across the park system.

"If 5% of the population is causing the trash and not disposing of it properly, we have another 5% that goes above and beyond to help pick up other people's trash to keep our parks looking good," Bourbon said. "With a park system our size, we really count on them."

The cleanup revealed what accumulated over winter: fast food wrappers, sports drinks, and bottles scattered across the parks. What frustrates Bourbon most is that most trash ends up within 100 feet of trash cans, showing people just need to take a few extra steps.

The cleanup days welcome anyone who wants to participate, from students to adults. Each session brings together neighbors who care about keeping their shared spaces beautiful.

The Ripple Effect

When the Maloney High students picked up litter, they did more than clean a park. They showed other community members that caring for public spaces is everyone's responsibility, not just the job of city workers.

Their example is already spreading. More volunteers now sign up for each cleanup day, creating a growing network of residents committed to maintaining the parks they love.

The cleanup also helps the small parks department identify problems early. During a recent session, volunteers spotted a sinkhole near Mirror Lake in Hubbard Park, one of the city's largest green spaces. Crews patched it within hours of learning about it, preventing potential injuries.

Bourbon's message to residents is simple: if you see something that needs attention, speak up. When the community stays engaged, problems get solved quickly and parks stay safe for everyone.

The students are proving that you don't need to be an adult to make your city better.

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