Bloomington, Indiana – As Indiana University’s graduation weekend approaches, the City of Bloomington is inviting community members to help spruce up the downtown area during a special Downtown Community Cleanup Day. Scheduled for Monday, May 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the event aims to bring volunteers together to make Bloomington’s public spaces clean, welcoming, and ready for an influx of students’ families and visitors.
With the graduation weekend bringing thousands of people to town, the City hopes to showcase a downtown that reflects Bloomington’s strong community spirit and pride. Volunteers will help with a variety of tasks such as picking up litter, pulling weeds, and freshening up highly visible areas.
City staff and crews from the Brighten Bloomington initiative will lead the effort, supplying all the tools, gloves, and equipment needed for the day’s work. Volunteers won’t be going it alone—Mayor Kerry Thomson will also be on hand, working side by side with residents to help give the downtown a seasonal refresh.
“We’re excited to welcome families and guests for IU’s graduation, and we want Bloomington to look its very best,” said Mayor Thomson. “This event is a great way for people to give back and show pride in our city.”
The cleanup day is supported by Brighten Bloomington, a year-round partnership between the City’s Public Works department and Centerstone’s Job Placement Program. Brighten B-Town participants help maintain Bloomington’s public areas through ongoing work like cleaning storm drains, painting curbs, trimming overgrown areas, and restoring tree plots. Their work will be reinforced by volunteers who show up for this special event.
Participants will gather at Waldron Hill Buskirk Park, located at 331 S. Washington Street, behind the police station. The morning will begin with opening remarks by Mayor Thomson at 9 a.m., followed by the formation of cleanup teams. At 9:30 a.m., groups will fan out into assigned zones throughout the downtown. By 12:30 p.m., volunteers will return to wrap up their efforts.
The location was chosen for its accessibility and capacity to host a large group. Nearby parking is available at the Fourth Street Garage and Lincoln Street. Public restrooms will also be open at the nearby Allison-Jukebox Community Center.
The City is encouraging advance registration for anyone who wants to take part, including individuals, families, local businesses, student groups, and organizations.
“This is more than just a cleanup—it’s about building community,” said a City spokesperson. “Everyone who joins us plays a part in making Bloomington a better place, especially as we prepare to welcome so many new visitors.”
In case of bad weather, a backup cleanup day is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7. All registered volunteers will be notified of any changes in the schedule.
To sign up or learn more about the event, interested volunteers can visit the City of Bloomington’s official website at bloomington.in.gov/cleanup.
As graduation brings excitement to the city, this event offers locals a chance to contribute directly to Bloomington’s charm—showing pride in place and making sure the first impression for many visitors is a lasting and positive one.
