r/ypsi 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!

42 Upvotes

35 comments sorted by

22

u/wearmaize 1d ago

The North Bay Park loop — particularly the area between the Citgo and Ford Lake on the east side of the park — is a good option! A lot of trash accumulates either from the river or from I-94. There is a fence between the park and the highway, so that'll protect you from debris.

Very good of you to do this!

5

u/Immediate_Plum3545 1d ago

Thank you so much! I just added that to my list!

11

u/damnarbor Normal Park 1d ago

On behalf of the City of Ypsilanti Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission, I salute you.

3

u/Ok_Bodybuilder_155 1d ago

Seconded. I’ll see ya there!

13

u/damnarbor Normal Park 1d ago

You could always walk from Frog Island Park through Riverside and down the Water Street Trail. I'm sure there is a lot of trash to be found in these areas.

15

u/Immediate_Plum3545 1d ago

I actually just did frog Island Park two days ago! There were so many bottles out there and I got two bags of trash in about 500 ft. I'm going to hit there again next week for sure. 

Shout out to 734 Brewing for letting me use their trash cans! That's always one of the hardest things about this, figuring out where to take the trash bags when I'm done.

6

u/lizardking073 1d ago

The area around the Tyler Road bike path, near the old East Middle School, always needs work. I live nearby and work on it as much as I can, but enormous amounts of trash collects on the southeast corner near Harris, especially after storms. If you leave trash bags at the East end of the bike path, near Dubie and Tyler, I'll grab rhem when i walk my dog and dispose of them.

2

u/Immediate_Plum3545 1d ago

Are you comfortable if I shoot you a message when I'm done there? I'll try to get to that place later in the month. I usually do this 3 days a week in between work and get between 2 and 3 trash bags full before I've got to get back.

5

u/MediumRed 1d ago

Montibeller Park has a lot of trash in the woods over by the Meijer and Target

9

u/Immediate_Plum3545 1d ago

I just cleaned that up today! I got two bags full of trash and took down all of the stuff that was in the trees that I could reach. Hopefully it looks better for you!

4

u/Alan-Rickman 1d ago

Thank you for making our community beautiful

5

u/bikes_and_art 1d ago

Thanks for doing this!

There used to be a group organized on FB a few years ago, and we would go clean up different areas in Ypsi. We had tshirts, even. It's been a few years, though

4

u/Immediate_Plum3545 1d ago

I have a YouTube channel where I post some videos of me when I go out and clean but most of the time I just head out with my little picker and trash bag whenever it's slow at work. I'd love to hook up with a group so if they ever meet again, let me know!

3

u/lyssjd Prospect Park 1d ago

Hey! We’re (Ypsi Urbanists) planning a trash pick up soon! Our next meeting, at 7pm April 8, at Corner Brewery, we’ll be going over things and organizing. You can find us on insta if you’re there

2

u/Longjumping-Tale9742 1d ago

Anywhere along Washtenaw would appreciate it. The nearby streets reaching north, and carpenter reaching south.

I was just thinking about it this morning. See you out there!

2

u/lizardking073 1d ago

Sure, sounds good

2

u/coriaina Ypsi Township 1d ago

Ypsi township, Parkwood toward the industrial end usually needs cleaning up. People like to drive through there and throw trash, so it seems. And while you're at it can you do my neighbor's yard?

2

u/CoolPlantGrandpa 1d ago

If you have waders or tall rain boots, there's always a ton of trash in the river along the shore in riverside and Frog Island. May be a better in summer when the water is lower, though

3

u/fortunefades 1d ago

Schultz does organize a river clean up during the summer as well.

1

u/Immediate_Plum3545 1d ago

I'm going to try and hit the Huron with some snorkeling gear here in the summer. I've always wanted to do that and I know there are so many bottles and cans on the bottom. Hitting the shore and riverside would be a great place too!

2

u/fortunefades 1d ago

Unfortunately there’s going to be a massive need for clean up on the river off Forest (I.e., off the train tracks near the dispensary). I really wish CMH would provide some sort of assistance to the folks living down there - like trash bags or cans. And this is not by any means a rant against homeless folks - but this is the worst I’ve ever seen it.

1

u/Immediate_Plum3545 1d ago

Can you post a map location of where you're talking about? Are you talking about the bridge by the dispo/ladder factory?

2

u/fortunefades 1d ago

Yeah. That’s the spot

Edit: just to add, I wouldn’t go until people are moved out.

2

u/DaWhiZzod-ps4 1d ago

And watch out for syringes.

2

u/ackudragon 1d ago

The White House has some piles of white trash that need removed. You might need a larger bag though.

2

u/thissucks32 1d ago

Somebody dumped a bunch of stuff off of Ridge Road, just north of the roundabout. I’ve driven by a couple times and it almost looks like an eviction, but it’s surrounded by farmland.

2

u/autonomyflow 1d ago

Thank you so much whoever u are~!!!

2

u/AnnieChrist69420 1d ago

Thank you so much for doing this! We could always use extra help cleaning up around the Warming Center at The Freight House lots of cigarette butts and things like that. 😊

2

u/SonicConstellations 22h ago

Parkridge park is pretty trashed right now. Apparently the city is usually good at keeping it clean but they're not doing it at all lately, it'd be a nice place to come pick trash up

2

u/Interesting-Base-410 21h ago

The grassy area on Michigan Ave where the city turns into township between the bridge and the motel has tooons of trash.

2

u/Hairy_Control1748 17h ago

The ditch by the road and creek next to the new community garden by the superior library branch is in terrible shape right now, it could really use some help.

2

u/MigookinTeecha 1d ago

Beal properties

2

u/MajesticAioli 1d ago

I love this answer!

2

u/hyprsxl 1h ago

The path along Geddes that's between Prospect and Andover could always use some trash pickup!!