Keep Southlake Beautiful – Greatest American Clean-Up

Join us for the Keep Southlake Beautiful Greatest American Clean-Up at McPherson Park. Volunteers will work together to help keep our community beautiful by cleaning up the park, the pond, and surrounding areas, with a special focus on removing litter and microplastics around the pond.

What are microplastics?
Microplastics are very small pieces of plastic, typically smaller than a pencil eraser, that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items or come from manufactured sources such as synthetic fibers and plastic pellets. Because of their size, they are often difficult to see but can harm wildlife and pollute our waterways.

Around the pond, volunteers may find small plastic fragments, tiny beads, foam pieces, bottle cap shards, fishing line fragments, and other weathered plastic debris mixed into soil, sand, or along the shoreline.

What to Wear and Bring
Since volunteers will be working throughout the park and near the water, please plan accordingly:

Closed-toe, sturdy shoes (tennis shoes or hiking shoes; no sandals)
Comfortable clothing you do not mind getting dirty
Long pants recommended for working near natural areas
Hat and sunglasses for sun protection
Sunscreen and insect repellent

Gloves and safety materials will be provided. Volunteers will also receive a handout outlining safety precautions, how to identify microplastics, and proper collection techniques, along with a map of the cleanup areas to help guide their efforts.

Thank you for helping keep Southlake beautiful and protecting our parks and waterways.