Organized by Downtown Lock Haven, Inc., the annual cleanup brought together community members of all ages who donated their time to pick up litter, tidy public spaces and spruce up sidewalks and benches throughout the downtown district.

According to organizers, Director of Community Life Kasey Dumm and DLH manager Rick Schulze, about a dozen volunteers had signed up to participate in the cleanup though the final number varied.

Armed with trash bags and gloves, volunteers divided responsibilities to cover both sides of Main Street, nearby side streets and high-traffic public areas, focusing on areas between the benches and alleyways. The area covered stretched from Haven Wash Station to Triangle Park.

“We usually split into small groups and just divide and conquer,” Dumm explained while giving instructions. “We’ll have one group head in one direction, another group go the other way and then try to reach some of the side streets depending on time.”

LAURA TARANTELLA/FOR THE EXPRESS CU-Lock Haven students Anthony Lampo and Skylar Fincher clean out between the benches in front of the DLH building.

Volunteers focused on collecting trash along sidewalks and around public benches, where litter tends to accumulate. Participants filled trash bags before putting them into nearby public garbage cans at the end of the cleanup, keeping the process simple and efficient.

The cleanup coincided with favorable spring weather, allowing volunteers to complete their work comfortably outdoors after a stretch of colder temperatures earlier in the week.

Organizers noted that past cleanups typically take about an hour, making it an accessible way for residents to give back to their community.

During the cleanup, Lock Haven Mayor Joel Long expressed his gratitude towards the community members that came out to participate, encouraging people to spend a few minutes outside doing their part to keep our community clean.

Long shared his tip on how to pick up litter during walks through town, “I take a small grocery bag with me and I pick up little pieces along the way,” he said. “It’s simple but it doesn’t take much to help out.”

LAURA TARANTELLA/FOR THE EXPRESS Kasey and Jason Dumm are seen helping with the cleanup as they finish the evening in front of the Lock Haven Elks building.

The Earth Day cleanup is a tradition for Downtown Lock Haven and community participation remains a key part of the effort. Volunteers included longtime supporters as well as newcomers who joined at the last minute, highlighting the collaborative spirit that helps make the annual cleanup successful.

Students from Commonwealth University-Lock Haven also took part in the effort, viewing the event as both a service opportunity and a chance to connect with the local community.

“It’s easy to walk past trash every day and not think twice about it,” said honors student Skylar Fincher. “But being out here, you realize how much of a difference a small group of people can make in just an hour.”

Another student, Anthony Lampo, agreed with Fincher that the experience reinforced the importance of civic engagement beyond campus.

“As students, we’re part of this community, too,” Lampo said. “Helping keep downtown clean is an easy way to show that we care about the place where we live and study.”

LAURA TARANTELLA/FOR THE EXPRESS Volunteers Angie and Madi work together to collect litter and debris along E. Main Street.

Downtown Lock Haven employees continuously thanked those who contributed their time and energy to take part in their cleanup.

With gloves in hand and trash bags filled, the group’s work left downtown streets cleaner and reinforced the value of community involvement — a reminder that even small acts can make a visible difference.