Last weekend, about 50 volunteers came together for a Park and Creek Clean-up at Jose Higuera Adobe Park, located at Wessex Place and Park Victoria in Milpitas.
After many months of social distancing amidst the pandemic, members of the community got a refreshing chance to actually work alongside one another — picking up trash, sweeping pathways, and sanitizing the surfaces of garbage cans.
“It’s important to keep our park clean,” said one Milpitas resident, who has lived just down the block from the park for over 40 years. “If we don’t do it, who else will?”
Members of the Milpitas Fire Department stopped by to take part in the clean-up effort. And a group of students from Milpitas High School even came by to help out. Vice Mayor Carmen Montano and Councilmembers Anthony Phan, Karina Dominguez, and Evelyn Chua also rolled up their sleeves to help pick up trash.
Vice Mayor Montano told The Beat that she had brought up the idea for the clean-up at a recent Council meeting. In the last year, the Vice Mayor has worked on similar efforts with fellow Councilmember Chua, who has been involved in clean-ups around the community since before the pandemic, teaming up with students from the Environmental Society of Milpitas High School.
Milpitas’ Recreation and Community Services Director Renee Lorentzen told the Beat that the City will be planning more clean-ups in the near future:
“We’re not sure the frequency yet but we’re looking to make these a regular thing,” said Lorentzen. “We’re happy to offer a safe outdoor activity to allow the community to come back out and enjoy the park system — and also contribute to keeping our City beautiful.”