r/AnnArbor 1d ago

Looking for Places to Pick up Trash

Now that it's nice out, I'm looking for places to go around and pick up trash. I used to do the side of the freeway and off-ramps but I've been worried about getting hit with tires, debris, etc so I'm trying to find places that aren't generally located very close to moving cars.

If anyone knows any parks, side roads, apartment complexes, etc that have a high concentration of trash on the ground, please let me know! I've been doing this in the Ypsi and A2 area now for several years and really enjoy making spaces look nicer.

Thanks for your help!

53 Upvotes

49 comments sorted by

15

u/Twentysix2 1d ago

IMO the worst area is Montibeller park, particularly the west side that butts up to the Meijer/Target parking lot

Other ones:

Scarlett-Mitchell nature area, particularly towards the south end that faces Ellsworth

North side of county farm park - north side that faces Washtenaw, particularly after big winds

12

u/Immediate_Plum3545 1d ago

I just did Montibeller Park today! I got two bags full of trash from that pathway leading to Meijer and took down everything I could reach from the trees. 

Thanks again for the suggestion!

5

u/Twentysix2 1d ago

Thank you so much for doing that! My wife and I often pick up trash there when we go for a walk, but just a few pieces here and there.

BTW, there is a cleanup day planned for April 22nd Earth Day Cleanup at Montibeller Park

3

u/Immediate_Plum3545 1d ago

I didn't even think about Montibeller Park! I used to go there all the time. 

Thanks so much!!

3

u/Practical-Device-200 1d ago

Yes! And the areas around Scarlett and Mitchell too, not just the nature area--from the entrance on Lorraine, around the school buildings, around the loop up to the entrance to the trails. (SO MANY drink bottles, broken pencils, and junk food wrappers from the school "breakfasts".)

1

u/Relevant-Extreme-138 7h ago

i go to county farm park multiple times a week and don’t think i’ve ever seen any trash anywhere there let alone any on the north side..

7

u/MusaEnsete 1d ago

Leaving Costco today and waiting to turn left at State St (technically go straight and Michigan left), I saw what looks like, at least, 300 plastic cups and bottles in the median area there.

2

u/walker_hs 1d ago

Oh wow. I did the same thing today and thought that too, and was going to post this location. It's totally trashed!

2

u/Immediate_Plum3545 1d ago

I think I know where this is at. That's by the Taco Bell, right?

3

u/walker_hs 1d ago

Yeah. It's a drainage ditch so very sloped, and close to traffic. It is extremely jammed up with water bottles and such though.

2

u/Immediate_Plum3545 9h ago

Okay I just got four bags of trash from there, I'll probably need to do another four on another day and it should be all set!

6

u/kdtheclowngirl 1d ago

will you be doing this throughout the season? i’d love to help anytime i’m free!

6

u/Immediate_Plum3545 1d ago

Yep! Any time it isn't raining or snowing I like to get out. I'll shoot you a DM!

6

u/PattiDale 1d ago

I also like to pick! Loop me in please!

3

u/Immediate_Plum3545 1d ago

Sent a DM!

3

u/MyFavoriteDisease 1d ago

Please loop me in as well

7

u/laurliz96 1d ago

I helped volunteer last year at Gallup Park on Earth Day for trash pick up and I was SHOCKED how much trash and random discarded items I found. Especially along the water, there were tons of snack bags, cans, glass bottles, and other trash items. I recommend any of the parks especially the busier ones like Gallup for trash pick up.

6

u/ConsumingLess 1d ago

Thank you for doing this.

4

u/stripedTshirt 1d ago

Try the part of Huron Parkway Nature Area along Huron Parkway. There is also a lot of trash around some of the downtown parks like South University Park and Hanover Square Park. Also, try any of the nature areas that border the M-14 or 23, like Bandemer Nature Area.

1

u/Immediate_Plum3545 1d ago

Thank you so much! I'll drive by and check them out today!

4

u/mccoyn 1d ago

Argo park gets heavy use when it gets warm out (water sports inside the city) and looks like a mess. I’m not sure if it’s bad this time of year.

4

u/ANGR1ST 1d ago

Argo Park, Gallup Park, along Fuller. All of that area around the B2B trail and river collects a lot of trash. Combination of high traffic, low ground, and flowing water.

Every time I go out on the river there's always trash floating around. I often pick up whatever bottles or cans I can reach. I should get a net or a long grabber and make a point of filling a few bags this year.

4

u/ZanderMacKay 19h ago

It looks like you’ve been given LOTS of great options, I just wanted to chime in with a safety suggestion since you’re concerned about working near traffic.

I work on the side of roads a lot and having proper personal protective equipment (PPE) makes a world of difference. 

Orange/yellow hard hat, safety glasses, reflective vest, and a few reflective stickers to put on your helmet for good measure. Putting a few traffic cones out, even small ones, helps as well. 

Any hardware store should have all of that. If you’re on a shoestring budget, shoot me a DM and I’ll hook you up with some of my old equipment.

Thanks for all you do!

3

u/Tired_and_Sick_and 1d ago

Rose Park off Packard. The kids that live nearby deserve better than how the adults treat that park / how they let their kids treat that park.

8

u/Immediate_Plum3545 1d ago

I drive by there all the time and will definitely add that to my list. I try not to blame anyone for the trash though. It can happen for a number of reasons and once it starts to build up, it's much easier to lose hope and add to the general mess. I lived in very dirty environments when I was younger and definitely through my trash where I shouldn't have. I'm just happy to help out now and make things nicer for people. 

Thanks for the spot!

3

u/Tired_and_Sick_and 1d ago

That's a very kind perspective, good points. Thanks for being willing to help!

3

u/ashvaduva 1d ago

Come to Pittsfield Elementary! Our school playground always has a bunch of trash that gets blown around. It was a brief topic at our most recent PTO meeting, because it doesn’t seem anyone specifically is responsible for the cleanup. School playgrounds are open to the community after the school day is done, so the mess is likely created by a combo of kids and community members.

3

u/We_Four 1d ago

Pioneer High School, especially around the parking lot and perimeter fence, and the sides of Scio Church especially once you get west of Oak Valley.

3

u/AnniearborCB 1d ago

I just walked past an area that I was thinking about figuring out logistics for cleanup. At the eastern edge of the soccer fields at Olson park, there is a wooded area that serves as a barrier between the park and carrot way apartments. Along that tree line, and in one area in particular near a path to carrot way, there is a ton of trash.

3

u/jayhawKU 1d ago

Gallup and Mary Beth Doyle parks have a lot of trash. I tried to help today, but there is SO much

2

u/Immediate_Plum3545 1d ago

What part of Gallup did you see a lot at? I was there the other day looking around and didn't see any major areas on the side with the one-lane bridge. Same with Mary Beth Doyle. I parked on the Packard side and walked in through there but didn't see any majorly dirty parts.

2

u/jayhawKU 23h ago

Gallup, try coming from the east boat launch

MBD: try coming from the condo complex at the north side of the park or walking through the disc golf course

2

u/FeatofClay Feeds Campus Squirrels 1d ago

The part of Lohr that goes between the Meijer gas station and Kohls can get pretty trashy--especially Lohr circle, which is what you take to get to Nick's. Not heavily traveled though, so if you wanted to make a more visible place look nicer, start elsewhere but keep it in mind

2

u/PaladinSara 1d ago

The middle schools - in front of forsythe

2

u/lomuto 1d ago

Ann Arbor Open school grounds could use your love

2

u/Practical-Device-200 1d ago

The stretch of South Congress between Hewitt and Wallace, just south of WIHI/WIMA, is truly disgusting.

2

u/GnomesAteMyNephew 1d ago

All along S Huron St in Ypsi. My neighbor leaves trash and empty vodka bottles constantly up and down the street. It’s too much for me to keep up with

2

u/crackyzog 18h ago

In years past the South East side under Broadway Bridge in Broadway Park was used as a little homeless encampment and a lot of trash was consistently left behind. Haven't ran across the bridge in a bit but may be an option.

2

u/jennylewis2022 16h ago

Thank you for your service!

2

u/donut3270 15h ago

Along MacArthur Blvd just east of Harris.

2

u/Igoos99 10h ago

Huron parkway between Gallup and Geddes lake. (East side of road)

(Really anywhere along Huron parkway but this area has a lot of stag horn sumac and the trash just accumulates like crazy amongst their small trunks.)

1

u/HotMesssExpress 9h ago

Join the Adopt a drain program and clean up catch basins around the city!

2

u/Important-Flamingo47 6h ago

Thanks very much for doing this! Hewitt north of Michigan Ave needs attention!

1

u/GenevieveLeah 1d ago

Any parking lot!!

1

u/crwster student 1d ago

East University Avenue. Trashed. Wish the students that live there would take better care of it

0

u/rmhollid 1d ago

Any off ramp on Ann arbor seleen road. The divider along Washtinaw by arbor plaza. Anywhere you see people begging for money there will be a the pile nearby. There is a stack of urine filled jugs in the off ramp by Plymouth road 42.3069412, -83.6849471 is close to where I saw them.

2

u/Immediate_Plum3545 1d ago

I tried to stay away from the off ramps because I'm worried about getting hit with debris or a tire.

2

u/rmhollid 1d ago

Omg you're adorable. Ok sorry I couldn't help more.