The Gaithersburg Parks, Arts and Recreation Corporation (G-PARC), in collaboration the City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture and the Public Works Stormwater Management Division, is hosting “Art of Trash Grabbing” community workshops on Saturday, August 27, 2022 (rain date Sunday, August 28) from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at three City parks. The workshops are free; registration is required. Events will take place at:

Morris Park Pavilion, 520 Summit Hall Rd. Register here.

Griffith Park Pavilion, 9 S. Summit Ave. Register here.

Lakelands Park Pavilion, Main St. Register here.

These community workshops are fun and family-oriented and combine art and environmental stewardship. Artists will teach participants how to decorate metal trash grabbers using watershed themes, stormwater slogans and other environmental messages. Following the workshops, there will be a park clean up where participants can use their newly decorated tools.

Trash grabbers and art supplies will be provided for registered participants. Workshops are recommended for ages 5+. Those under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. SSL hours are available. Please bring water, sunscreen and insect repellent. Park clean-up supplies will be provided. For more information visit the City’s website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov and follow G-PARC on Facebook @gparcmd and on Instagram @gparc_md.

“We hold trash clean ups at City parks four times each year. Our hope for this project is that we will start to create an army of trash warriors across the City who use their decorated trash grabbers to bring attention to the problem of litter in our environment, and make trash clean ups just a little more fun!,” said Tracy Rouleau, Chair of the G-PARC Alliance for Parks. 

This program is funded in part through a generous grant from Keep Maryland Beautiful, Forever Maryland, Maryland Environmental Trust, and Maryland Department of Transportation.

About G-PARC, the Alliance for Parks, and the Alliance for Arts and Culture

The Gaithersburg Parks, Arts and Recreation Corporation (G-PARC) is a nonprofit organization that promotes awareness, engages public and private partnerships, and raises resources to support new and matured parks, arts, and recreation initiatives of the City of Gaithersburg. G-PARC shapes the future through three Alliances focusing on parks, arts, and recreation. The Alliance for Parks focuses on All Parks for All People. Our overarching goal is to make sure that all citizens know of the parks that are available for use and enjoyment in the City of Gaithersburg, with particular focus on improving equity, knowledge, and accessibility for underserved communities. The Arts & Culture Alliance is a group of like-minded individuals and organizations working together to build an energized and synergistic creative community. The Alliance works with area businesses and the City of Gaithersburg to enhance the quality of life in our community through the arts and culture. To join one of the Alliances, or find out more about G-PARC, contact [email protected]

About Gaithersburg's Stormwater Management Program:

The mission of the Gaithersburg Stormwater Program is to keep water clean. During rainstorms, any rain left unabsorbed by the soil is known as stormwater runoff.  Carrying trash and chemicals to nearby creeks and streams, stormwater runoff is the fastest growing source of pollution in the City. To combat water pollution, the Stormwater Program is working together with community members to address runoff issues where they start – on the ground.

Visit the Environmental Services pages on City’s website to learn more about how you can make a difference.