Crater of Diamonds Organizing Litter Pickup for October 8

Volunteers needed to help keep Crater of Diamonds State Park beautiful

Volunteers are needed to participate in Crater of Diamonds State Park’s annual fall litter pickup on Saturday, October 8, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. The cleanup is being held in conjunction with the Great Arkansas Cleanup (GAC), the annual fall statewide litter pickup campaign promoted by Keep Arkansas Beautiful (KAB).

“Litter continues to be a problem at the Crater of Diamonds,” said Park Interpreter Tayler Markham. “It can leave a negative impact on our community for years to come. By participating in this year’s Great Arkansas Cleanup, local residents can do their part to help clean up the Crater.”

Everyone in Pike County is encouraged to participate in this year’s litter-pickup effort. Civic and service organizations, church and youth groups, school groups and clubs, scouts, individuals, families, neighborhoods, and businesses can organize cleanup teams and pitch in.

Registration will be held from 1:30 – 2 p.m. in the park’s Visitor Center. Gloves and trash bags will be provided, and Great Arkansas Cleanup T-shirts will be given away while supplies last. After the cleanup, volunteers may meet in the Diamond Discovery Classroom for refreshments and a drawing for prizes. This event is open for all ages. Participants should dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes or boots, and bring drinking water.

“Litter is everyone’s responsibility,” Markham said. “Although not everyone litters, we do all live in this community together and must work together to keep it clean and green. We do this out of community pride to maintain our outstanding quality of life and to improve our local economy.”

This year’s local cleanup is sponsored by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, Arkansas Department of Transportation, Keep America Beautiful, and the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Foundation.