Springfield Standard

Erin Danastasio, executive director of the Hatch Foundation, expressed her excitement about the new Neat Neighborhoods competition, saying, “It's not just about tidying up; it's about leaving a lasting impression and being proud of your neighborhood.” She shared her inspiration for the competition, which was rooted in the Tidy Towns tradition from Ireland.

Becky Volz, President of the Neighborhood Advisory council, emphasized the community spirit behind the Neat Neighborhoods competition, stating, “the spirit of Clean Green Springfield, born from collaboration and a shared commitment to positive change, becomes a key player in our quest for a tidy town.”

The Clean Green Springfield initiative is set to kick off various volunteer opportunities in the upcoming months of April and May. The initiative, which has been running since 2021, has seen significant success with thousands of volunteer hours logged and litter collected. Registration for the city-wide activities is open until May 31 at cleangreensgf.com.

One of the highlights of the 2024 edition is the introduction of the Neat Neighborhoods competition, inspired by the Tidy Towns tradition. This competition will see registered neighborhoods in Springfield competing across four City Zones for the title of Neat Neighborhood. The competition aims to foster a sense of community pride and camaraderie while promoting a cleaner and greener city.

The competition will award a total of four winning neighborhoods each year with a generous donation from the Hatch Foundation. The competition is divided into five categories, covering aspects such as community planning, public spaces, green spaces, streets, and tidiness.

To learn more about the Neat Neighborhoods competition and to participate, individuals are encouraged to visit cleangreensgf.com/neatneighborhoods. Additional information about volunteer opportunities and cleanup events can also be found on the Clean Green Springfield website.

The Clean Green Springfield initiative, supported by partners like KY3/KSPR/CW, the Hatch Foundation, and Community Partnership of the Ozarks, aims to engage individuals, families, businesses, and organizations in making Springfield a cleaner and more sustainable city.