Dodge City Days is here.
What does this mean? People from the surrounding area will visit Dodge City to experience the town's most anticipated festival.
In order for the city to look the part, officials put together a clean team to make Dodge City more inviting.
Jane Longmeyer, director of public information, said the clean-up is important because of the number of visitors the city will have.
“The clean-up is an annual event,” she said. “It's a great way to work together and get a lot accomplished.”
The organization CREW/Keep Dodge City Beautiful is participating in the clean-up, which began July 12.
The endeavor included maintenance work, such as pulling weeds from sidewalks and public property and picking up litter around areas that attract visitors.
“Our main purpose was to clean up curbs, sidewalks and pick up litter,” said Longmeyer.
She said the maintenance work includes the usual clean-up that takes place during a normal day, but it would be enhanced. City workers, CREW/Keep Dodge City Beautiful members and street department staffers have volunteered to be a part of the clean team.
Although there haven't been any major setbacks, Longmeyer said the most work involved cleaning up the parade route and asking property owners to join the effort.
“It's a great way for everyone to take an extra step to make Dodge City more welcoming,” she said.
Longmeyer said she wanted to encourage residents to bring a bag and pick up any trash left in the area.
“We don't want to discourage anyone. So we ask people to participate,” she said. “We just need to take a step back, take a thorough look at our property and try to make it better."
Reach Alejandra Rojas at (620) 408-9916 or e-mail her at alejandra.rojas@dodgeglobe.com.
