Stockton's Atlantic City Cleanup Returns October 24 After Volunteers Remove More Than Four Tons of Trash

Fifth annual Community Day will bring neighborhood cleanups, public art, food trucks and family activities to O'Donnell Park.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Stockton University is inviting residents, students and volunteers from across South Jersey to roll up their sleeves and help clean up Atlantic City on Saturday, October 24, before celebrating their efforts with an afternoon of food, music and family activities at O'Donnell Park.

The fifth annual Stockton Community Day and Party in the Park will feature neighborhood cleanups throughout the city's wards, followed by a free community celebration.

Brian Jackson, Stockton University's vice president for community engagement, discussed the event during an October 13 appearance on The AC Mike Lopez Show on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND.

Jackson said the annual initiative has already made a measurable difference, with volunteers removing more than four tons of trash from Atlantic City's streets and beaches since the program began five years ago.

"We really wanted to do a citywide event," Jackson said, explaining that the program originated as part of a university anniversary celebration and has grown into an annual partnership with residents, businesses and community organizations.

"We really want this to be not something that Stockton is doing, but something that we as a community partner does with the residents here in Atlantic City."

Volunteers Will Clean Neighborhoods Across Atlantic City

Volunteer check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, October 24, with cleanup activities scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. and conclude by approximately 11:30 a.m.

Jackson said Stockton is working with neighborhood associations, community development organizations, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority's Special Improvement Division, the City of Atlantic City and the Atlantic County Utilities Authority.

The effort brings together volunteers from Atlantic City and surrounding communities, including Ventnor and Margate.

"We get folks from some of the neighboring shore communities," Jackson said. "We get folks from offshore who also come out and who care about Atlantic City and want to make sure that, you know, our city stays beautiful."

Volunteers can register online through Stockton University's website or sign up in person on the day of the event.

Stockton will provide trash bags and litter pickers. Participants are encouraged to bring gloves and wear closed-toe shoes.

Online volunteer registration closes Thursday, October 22, at 1 p.m., although walk-up registration will remain available.

Food Trucks, Live Music and Community Art at O'Donnell Park

Following the cleanup, volunteers and community members are invited to O'Donnell Park for a free celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The afternoon will feature four food trucks, live music, a DJ, a petting zoo, pumpkin painting, face painting, games and activities for children.

Registered cleanup volunteers will receive vouchers redeemable for lunch at one of the participating food trucks.

One of this year's additions is an expanded focus on public art, developed in partnership with Stockton's Noyes Museum of Art.

"We're going to have these massive art projects, and we're going to be inviting everybody to contribute to them," Jackson said. "And then we're hopefully going to be able to put them on display throughout the city."

Jackson said local vendors are also welcome to participate, with Stockton waiving table fees for local businesses and organizations. Vendor openings were still available at the time of his interview.

Residents do not have to participate in the morning cleanup to enjoy the afternoon festivities.

"Even if you're not participating in the cleanup, if you just want to come to the park and enjoy the free festivities that are going on, we encourage folks to come on out," Jackson said.

O'Donnell Park Continues to Grow as Community Gathering Place

During the interview, Jackson also highlighted improvements to O'Donnell Park and its growing importance as a gathering place for Atlantic City residents.

He praised the CRDA Special Improvement Division and the City of Atlantic City for maintaining the park, along with the Chelsea Economic Development Corporation for installing new welcoming signs and organizing community events.

Jackson also pointed to the recent illumination of the park's World War I Memorial as another improvement.

"O'Donnell Park, I believe it's the largest park in the city," Jackson said. "And, you know, I really want to commend the Special Improvement Division, you know, working with the city to maintain it."

The park has become a destination for community festivals, seasonal celebrations and neighborhood activities, including the annual holiday tree lighting and events associated with Atlantic City's holiday parade.

Jackson said Stockton hopes the October 24 cleanup and celebration will encourage even more residents to take pride in their neighborhoods and public spaces.

"We're counting on you to come out and collaborate with us to clean up your neighborhoods," he said.

How to Participate

The fifth annual Stockton Community Day and Party in the Park takes place Saturday, October 24, with Sunday, October 25, designated as the rain date.

Event schedule:

• 8:30 a.m.: Volunteer check-in begins.

• 9 a.m.: Neighborhood cleanups begin throughout Atlantic City.

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Free Party in the Park celebration at O'Donnell Park.

Complimentary parking will be available at Stockton University's commuter parking lot near Hartford Avenue and the Boardwalk.

Residents interested in volunteering, participating as vendors or learning more can visit:

https://www.stockton.edu/atlantic-city/community-day-26.html

Additional information is available by calling 609-626-3846.

Jackson emphasized that the annual event is about more than picking up litter. It is an opportunity to strengthen relationships between Stockton University, Atlantic City residents and the organizations working to improve the community.

"Let's clean up our streets and then come back and have a lot of fun and enjoy all the hard work that we put in that day," Jackson said.