The City Council recognized Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful on Nov. 10 for its role in securing the designation, presenting the organization with a certificate honoring its contributions to the city’s appearance and environmental stewardship.
The free statewide program, administered by Caltrans, recognizes communities that demonstrate an ongoing commitment to cleanliness. Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful submitted the application on the city’s behalf, completed the required pledge and documented how Riverside met the program’s criteria.
“This recognition reflects the collective efforts of so many people and organizations who care about our city,” Stephanie Bell, the organization’s executive director, said in a statement to the Gazette. “It highlights the action being taken and the ongoing work to improve our community.”
Councilmember Chuck Conder pointed to trees planted and walls improved through projects dating back to 2008 and 2009, saying those efforts continue to make a difference.
“You guys do a good job,” he said. “And what it shows is kind of like the broken window theory, this city cares about how it looks.”
Councilmember Luis Hernandez thanked the organization and its volunteers for helping clean up and restore areas of the ward.
“I've only worked with you guys in a little bit of time that I've been on City Council, but we've done a lot in my ward and it's definitely benefited from the program,” Hernandez said.
According to the Public Works presentation, Riverside qualified through efforts that include community cleanups, litter prevention education, business partnerships, collection drives for bulky and hard-to-recycle items, tree plantings and public art.
The designation provides access to educational materials, cleanup kits and priority access to certain state grants, staff told the council.
Seven signs marking the recognition have been placed across the city, one in each ward: at Reid Park, Hunter Hobby Park, Nichols Park, Arlington Heights Sports Park, Arlington Park, Bryant Park and Rutland Park.
“There's always more work to be done and progress to be made, but this recognition is a great reminder of what we can accomplish when we work together,” Bell said.
