Euclid and Collinwood Partner for Annual Big Clean Neighborhood Competition

Published: Apr 13, 2026 - 6:09 p.m.

By Brooke Sullivan

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EUCLID, OHIO — Residents in Euclid and Cleveland's Collinwood neighborhood are preparing to face off in a friendly competition that aims to remove litter from local streets and waterways. The annual event, known as The Big Clean, serves as a massive volunteer effort to celebrate Earth Day by beautifying the shared border between the two communities. While the primary goal is a cleaner environment, there is a competitive edge to the proceedings. Euclid currently holds the title of reigning bag-count champion, a status the city hopes to maintain as volunteers from both sides of the municipal line gather to see who can collect the most refuse. Organizers say the rivalry encourages higher turnout, though the real benefit is felt by everyone who lives and works in the area. The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 25, with registration and supply kit pickups beginning at 9 a.m., according to the Keep Euclid Beautiful record. Volunteers select their cleanup zones during the registration process, allowing families and business groups to target specific blocks or parks that need the most attention. Christine McIntosh, the city of Euclid planning manager and event organizer, noted that the cleanup usually draws more than 300 participants. She described it as a way for the community to focus collectively on neighborhood pride. The effort is supported by a coalition of partners including ServeOhio, Cleveland Ward 10 Councilman Michael D. Polensek, and the Greater Collinwood Development Corporation. After the morning work concludes, the focus shifts to the C.E. Orr Ice Arena on Milton Drive for an eco fair. From noon to 1 p.m., volunteers can access food, music and raffle prizes while learning about local conservation efforts. Representatives from the Cleveland Metroparks, Friends of Euclid Creek and the Euclid Shade Tree Commission will be on site to provide resources regarding recycling and native gardening. This year's fair includes a significant milestone for local sustainability. The city of Euclid is officially launching a new food waste recycling program in partnership with Rust Belt Riders. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held during the event to mark the start of the initiative, which aims to divert organic waste from landfills. Registration for the event is free and open to individuals or large groups. Community service hours are available for students or those who need to document their volunteer time. To sign up or gather more information about logistics, residents can visit bit.ly/BIGCLEAN26 or contact Christine McIntosh directly at cmcintosh@cityofeuclid.gov. -------------------- At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.