Hunts Point’s first “Clean Up Day” was in 1918 after the town’s Improvement Committee finished constructing the 16 foot wide cement Hunts Point Road. It was previously a gravel road. The right of way area needed to be cleaned up. New trees and bushes were planted, and mailbox pagodas were built and installed. After a long day, the hard-working neighbors retired to a resident’s home for a social event.

And this became the tradition of Hunts Point Clean Up Day commencing on the third Sunday of May, rain or shine for the last 105 years. Clean Up Day has been celebrated every year since 1918 but was cancelled 2020 – 2022 due to the pandemic.

A lot has changed since 1918. Much of Hunts Point is now maintained by professional landscapers, but there are still common areas that get neglected. Most importantly Clean Up Day is a family event that brings residents together and builds community.

Organized by neighbors, the day starts at Hunts Point Town Hall where the town’s mayor makes announcements and presentations. Old friends and new neighbors reconnect over a casual breakfast and work party leaders recruit neighbors to gather tools and follow them to work areas.

Once the designated tasks are done, the community enjoys an organized lunch together at Town Hall complete with games for the kids and a bouncy house. Past Clean Up Days have ended with a festive cocktail party at a neighborhood home.

Penny and Michael O’Byrne, longtime residents have participated in Clean Up Day for the last 51 years. “Our kids loved Clean Up Day and receiving community service hours for their participation. It has always been such a fun community event for our little town,” says Penny. Resident Alane Moran shares “Every year we plant a tree in honor of Arbor Day. This community tradition gets families outside and reinvigorates the spirit of community.”

For over 30 years on Clean Up Day, the town of Hunts Point has received recognition from The Arbor Day Foundation.  Our Town supports the Tree City USA initiative by maintaining a 60% tree canopy coverage and a protective tree ordinance. Hunts Point is one of 3600 communities proudly involved in this important program designed to keep urban areas green.