The Fish Creek Cleanup Challenge, now in its 7th year, is seeking volunteers to collect discarded cans, glass and plastic bottles, paper and other debris littering the banks of the southeast Arlington creek.

The cleanup challenge is set from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan 25, 2025. Event organizer Angel Carter said she is hopeful that hundreds of volunteers will once again turn out to tackle the litter problem along an 8-mile section of the creek covering both Arlington and Grand Prairie. Click here to sign up for the Fish Creek Cleanup Challenge.

In the past six years, volunteers have cleaned up more than 73,645 pounds of trash from the creek and surrounding properties. A walk along the creek banks today shows that volunteers are still needed, Carter said.

The opening ceremony and safety briefing for volunteers on the Arlington side will be held at 8 a.m. at Craven Parks, 400 Cravens Park Drive.

The cleanup is a family friendly event and there is no minimum age to participate. Much of the trash is lightweight, such as plastic bags, Styrofoam cups and paper.

Volunteers are asked to wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, closed toe shoes or waterproof boots and any preferred tools, such as trash grabbers. Because of the potential for cold weather, volunteers are urged to dress in layers.

 Volunteers are invited to clean up litter anywhere along Fish Creek, Fish Creek Linear Trail and the parks and schools that are along it. Carter says to remember to place the bagged trash on the paved trail so that Arlington Parks & Recreation employees can collect and add the bags to large trash containers that will be weighed at the end of the cleanup.

 Cleanup supporters include The Mission Continues, USAA, St. Andrews UMC, Texas Veterans Network, Webb Masonic Lodge, Republic Services, the City of Arlington, the City of Grand Prairie, and many more.

 Event organizers and supporters are providing gloves, trash bags, and a limited number of tools.