Spring cleaning in Holyoke

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - On Saturday several communities set out to do some major spring cleaning in residential areas that look more like landfills. The effort from some residents in Holyoke was to improve the quality of life.

For the fourth year in a row community members donated their time amid budget cuts, to help spruce up the city.

“If people take a few hours of their time, and clean up the parks Holyoke would look a lot better,” said volunteer Edguardo Perez.

Last year people managed to collect 600 trash bags in the spring cleaning effort, leading up to Earth Day.

“The whole image of the city improves if the trash is off the streets,” said volunteer Val Partyka.

Eight organizations pinpointed eight eyesores to give the area a facelift after the long winter.

Organizers of the cleanup say this event demands respect from those who would otherwise disrespect parks like this one, whose primary function is to serve the youngsters of the neighborhood.

“There’s hardly anything for the kids, it’s full of them in the summer, but we have to work together to keep it clean,” said community activist Julia Rivera.

Some would argue Pina Park is holding the Flats neighborhood together despite some who have left it to join a gang.

“The youth are the future for the community and if its not clean and safe, then really what does that say? The future for this community is going no where,” said volunteer Nathaniel Rodriguez.