City Wide Litter Clean Ups | Make a Difference Day

Love: Make a difference Day, Volunteer McKinney, 2024

Join us to celebrate Make a Difference Day! 

Participating in Litter Clean Ups in McKinney, especially along Wilson Creek, play a crucial role in preserving our local environment and safeguarding the East Fork Trinity River & Lavon Lake – our drinking water supply. Trash or pollutants can contaminate these critical water sources. Since Lavon Lake is a primary reservoir for our drinking water, keeping it free of litter is essential for maintaining water quality and public health. By removing debris, we protect aquatic habitats, prevent harmful runoff, and ensure clean, safe water for our community. These efforts also foster community pride and demonstrate a collective commitment to sustainability, keeping our natural spaces beautiful and healthy for future generations. 

Make a Difference with us this 2024 Make a Difference Day! 

Opportunities to participate are below, click each link to see more details and register:

Friday: October 25th, 2024, 9 – 11 AM 

Saturday: October 26th, 2024, 9 – 11 AM 

This event is partnered with the City of McKinney’s Office of Environmental Sustainability, Stormwater Department, and Parks and Recreation.

McKinney Greens Volunteer Workday

McKinney Greens Volunteer Workday

Where: McKinney Greens Park, 798 Stewart Rd McKinney, TX 75069 United States

When: August 17th, 2024, 8 – 11 AM

What we will be doing: We will be performing tree care by checking in on the trees planted during the Restore the Canopy Tree Planting Event in 2021. Trees may need to be pushed upright, tall grass areas trimmed, litter picked up, etc. We will also be clearing riparian areas of tall reeds and other aggressive under-story which is not conducive to a healthy creekside.

There are also remnants of the Interurban Railway that once used to connect the City of McKinney to surrounding towns. We will be checking in on these & preforming any sort of maintenance needed to help these historical landmarks be visible and clean. Please read about the Interurban Railway by clicking here.

Parking is available on Stewart Road on the right in front of the entrance. The Stewart Rd. entrance can be accessed by turning off of Highway 5 (north of 121, south of Eldorado).

What to bring: bring a signed waiver, click here to fill out and print. Participants under age 18 need to have a guardian or parent sign the form. You will also need to have your own work gloves for this activity. Bring bug spray, sunscreen, and water. If you bring your own tools, including trowels or shovels, please have them marked with your name and contact information. Please see our Safety Guidelines for more information.

What do I wear: Long pants, long sleeves, face covering, and closed toed shoes or boots. Sunscreen and bug spray are recommended.  Please dress appropriately for the weather. Please do not wear leggings, shorts, or other thin material which is not protective on your body.

NO PUBLIC RESTROOMS are on site, please use the QT gas station on HWY 5

Please arrive about 10 minutes early for a safety orientation, waiver sign in, and team assignments.

Volunteers can earn service hours for their school group, troop, or club. See a member of the McKinney Parks Foundation to have your volunteer forms signed at the event.

Parking Map Below, note parking is marked by the green box. It is on the right-hand side of the road adjacent to the park. Look for our tent to sign in, near parking.

Towne Lake Nature Trail Workday

Towne Lake Nature Trail Workday

When: Saturday, June 15th, 2024, 8 AM – 11 AM

Where: Towne Lake Nature Trail, 2001 S Central Expy, McKinney, TX 75070, The trail is to the East of the McKinney Recreation Center’s parking lot. Parking and restrooms are available at the Recreation Center at Towne Lake.

Look for our tent for sign in!

What we will be doing: Using trimmers to clear the trail of overgrowth, track pickup, clean the picnic areas, remove fallen debris on the trail. Tools available will include weed whackers, backpack blowers, loppers, shovels, etc. This park experiences graffiti often, if you’re interested in helping clean graffiti, please bring tools like a bucket, water, cleaning gloves, soap, rags, scrubbing brushes / graffiti cleaning kit.

What to bring: Print the volunteer waiver and bring it with you. Participants under age 18 need to have a guardian or parent sign the form. You will also need to have your own work gloves. Bring bug spray, sunscreen, and water. Protective eyewear is recommended if you plan to be cutting branches or operating some of the cutting tools. If you bring your own tools, please have them marked as such so we know they are yours.

What do I wear: Long pants, long sleeves, face covering, and closed toed shoes or boots. Sunscreen and bug spray are recommended.  Please dress appropriately for the weather. Please do not wear leggings or other thin material which is not protective on your body.

Please arrive at least 10 minutes early for waiver sign-in and team assignments.

Volunteers can earn service hours for their school group, troop, or club. See a member of the McKinney Parks Foundation to have your volunteer forms signed at the event.

Please RSVP to let us know you’ll be there.

Canceled – Trash-Off: McKinney Greens

Trash Off

Trash-Off: McKinney Greens

Unfortunately, due to expected severe weather, this volunteer event is canceled. Please stay off of muddy trails and stay safe.

When: Saturday, April 27th, 2024 9 AM

Where: McKinney Greens Park, 798 Stewart Rd McKinney, TX 75069 United States

We will be on-site promptly at 9 AM and leave to perform the clean-up at 9:10 AM.

What we will be doing: This will strictly be a Clean-Up event. Trash will be collected along Wilson Creek.

What to bring: Print the volunteer waiver and bring it with you. Participants under age 18 need to have a guardian or parent sign the form. You will also need to have your own mud boots or waders. Please do not sign up for this event if you are unequipped to enter the water. If you bring your own tools, please have them marked as such so we know they are yours.

What do I wear: Long pants, long sleeves, face covering, and closed toed shoes or boots. Sunscreen and bug spray are recommended.  Please dress appropriately for the weather. DO NOT wear leggings or other thin material which is not protective on your body.

Please arrive at least 10 minutes early for waiver sign-in and team assignments.

Volunteers can earn service hours for their school group, troop, or club. See a member of the McKinney Parks Foundation to have your volunteer forms signed at the event.

To volunteer with this event, you must RSVP. Registration is limited.

Register through: Volunteer McKinney

Parking Map Below, note parking is marked by the green box. It is on the right-hand side of the road adjacent to the park. Look for our tent to sign in, near parking.

This is an event coinciding with the City of McKinney’s Office of Environmental Sustainability. The McKinney Parks Foundation is hosting limited volunteer events to pick up trash at sites we regularly visit throughout the year to help keep our waterways clean.

To participate in the Trash-Off with your group, please coordinate with the Office of Environmental Sustainability by emailing green@mckinneytexas.org

Trash Off Decorative Banner

Canceled – Trash-Off: Towne Lake Nature Trails

Trash Off

Trash-Off: Towne Lake Common Areas

Unfortunately, due to expected severe weather, this volunteer event is canceled. Please stay off of muddy trails and stay safe.

When: Saturday, April 27th, 2024 9 AM

Where: Towne Lake Nature Trail, 2001 S Central Expy, McKinney, TX 75070The trail is to the East of the McKinney Recreation Center’s parking lot. Parking and restrooms are available at the Recreation Center at Towne Lake.

We will be on-site promptly at 9 AM and leave to perform the clean-up at 9:10 AM.

What we will be doing: This will strictly be a Clean-Up event. Trash will be collected in the community areas of the park, like the walking trail, roadside, by the pond, and next to brush.

What to bring: Print the volunteer waiver and bring it with you. Participants under age 18 need to have a guardian or parent sign the form. If you bring your own tools, please have them marked as such so we know they are yours. If you are allergic to certain kinds of plastic gloves, please bring gloves to accommodate that allergy, as we may not be equipped to provide for all allergies.

What do I wear: Long pants, long sleeves, face covering, and closed-toed shoes or boots. Sunscreen and bug spray are recommended.  Please dress appropriately for the weather. Do not wear leggings or other thin material which is not protective on your body.

Please arrive at least 10 minutes early for waiver sign-in and team assignments.

Volunteers can earn service hours for their school group, troop, or club. See a member of the McKinney Parks Foundation to have your volunteer forms signed at the event.

To volunteer with this event, you must RSVP. Registration is limited.

Register through: Volunteer McKinney

This is an event coinciding with the City of McKinney’s Office of Environmental Sustainability. The McKinney Parks Foundation is hosting limited volunteer events to pick up trash at sites we regularly visit throughout the year to help keep our waterways clean.

To participate in the Trash-Off with your group, please coordinate with the Office of Environmental Sustainability by emailing green@mckinneytexas.org

Trash Off Decorative Banner

Canceled – Trash-Off: Towne Lake – Wilson Creek

Trash Off

Trash-Off: Towne Lake – Wilson Creek

Unfortunately, due to expected severe weather, this volunteer event is canceled. Please stay off of muddy trails and stay safe.

When: Saturday, April 27th, 2024 9 AM

Where: Towne Lake 2001 S Central Expy, McKinney, TX 75070, The trail is to the East of the McKinney Recreation Center’s parking lot. Parking and restrooms are available at the Recreation Center at Towne Lake.

We will be on-site promptly at 9 AM and leave to perform the clean-up at 9:10 AM.

What we will be doing: This will strictly be a Clean-Up event. Trash will be collected along and within Wilson Creek.

What to bring: Print the volunteer waiver and bring it with you. Participants under age 18 need to have a guardian or parent sign the form. You will also need to have your own mud boots or waders. Please do not sign up for this event if you are unequipped to enter the water. If you bring your own tools, please have them marked as such so we know they are yours.

What do I wear: Long pants, long sleeves, face covering, and closed toed shoes or boots. Sunscreen and bug spray are recommended.  Please dress appropriately for the weather. DO NOT wear leggings or other thin material which is not protective on your body.

Please arrive at least 10 minutes early for waiver sign-in and team assignments.

Volunteers can earn service hours for their school group, troop, or club. See a member of the McKinney Parks Foundation to have your volunteer forms signed at the event.

To volunteer with this event, you must RSVP. Registration is limited.

Register through: Volunteer McKinney

This is an event coinciding with the City of McKinney’s Office of Environmental Sustainability. The McKinney Parks Foundation is hosting limited volunteer events to pick up trash at sites we regularly visit throughout the year to help keep our waterways clean.

To participate in the Trash-Off with your group, please coordinate with the Office of Environmental Sustainability by emailing green@mckinneytexas.org

Trash Off Decorative Banner