Pitch in for Parks – Small Actions Make Big Impacts
It takes a community to keep parks and green space looking nice and clean. Join us as we work together to maintain parks the community can be proud of. If you or your group want to help, we’ll help you find the best fit – whether that’s a one-time cleanup or an ongoing commitment. Many local residents already make park cleanup part of their regular walk, and everyone is welcome to do the same, anytime. Let us know if we can support your cleanup event!
Quick Cleanups & Projects
Ideal for anyone looking to make an immediate impact, without a long-term commitment.
- Pick up litter
- Sweep debris from walkways
- Pull weeds from flower beds and mulched areas
- Identify repair needs and report issues at cityofcape.org/report
- Clean playground rquipment
- Paint shelters / playground equipment / basketball courts
- Rake playground woodchips
Ready to Commit Long-Term?
Looking to add new flowerbeds or attractions? Visit cityofcape.org/adoptapark
Clean-Up Project Kits
To request a cleanup kit, complete this form. Please allow at least 2 business days for us to review and respond. Clean-Up Kits can be made available and returned during regular business hours. Filled trash bags will be picked up by staff.
- Trash Grabbers
- Trash Bags
- Vests
- Gloves
High-Need Areas
We can always use help anywhere, but here are some of the spaces that need it most right now:
- Capaha Park
- Cape LaCroix Trail
- Arena Park
- Missouri Park (paint skate park equipment)
Show Us Success!
Tag us on social media @capeparks @cityofcape or email us your before and after photos! #pitchinforparks #capecares #capeserves
Safety Reminders
- Gloves & footwear: Wear closed-toe shoes and gloves at all times. Gloves are included in your cleanup kit.
- Traffic awareness: Stay alert near roads and parking lots. Wear your safety vest, face traffic when possible, and avoid working within a few feet of active roadways.
- Weather: Check the forecast before you go. Stay hydrated, dress for the weather, and reschedule if there’s lightning, severe heat, or other unsafe conditions.
- Kids: Kids are welcome to join in age-appropriate ways, but should be supervised at all times, especially near water, traffic, or debris.
- Sharps & hazardous items: Never pick up needles, broken glass, or other sharp objects by hand. Use a trash grabber, or mark and report the location so our crew can handle it. Sharps will pierce trashbags and should be immediately contained within solid debris or .
- Unknown or suspicious items: If you find something that looks dangerous, illegal, or unclear (chemicals, weapons, dead animals, etc.), leave it alone and contact us right away — don’t attempt to remove it yourself.
- Know your limits: Take breaks on hot days as needed, and don’t lift anything too heavy — ask for help or leave it for our crew.
About Our Parks Crew
With over 700 acres of parks and trails, our ground crew starts mowing in spring, and the job never stops. They also trim trees, empty trash, clean bathrooms, and more. We wish we had more crews just like them, because they do the best possible job with the resources they have, but they can’t be everywhere at once. In a town this big and busy with residents and visitors, we need your help caring for Cape’s public spaces.
What You Can Do
Cape Girardeau’s parks and trails belong to all of us. Pitch in for Parks invites you to take ownership — whether that’s a one-time cleanup this weekend or an ongoing commitment to your favorite spaces. Every hour given is a small act of pride in the Cape we share. Small Actions make Big Impacts!
Find more volunteer opportunities at cityofcape.org/volunteer.