There’s a moment every spring in the South Wedge when the neighborhood begins to feel new again. The flowers start to bloom, the sidewalks fill with neighbors reconnecting after a long winter, and there’s a shared energy that reminds us why this community is so
special. For me, that moment always arrives with the City of Rochester’s annual Clean Sweep—and it’s truly my favorite part of spring in the Wedge.
Clean Sweep is more than just a neighborhood cleanup—it’s a celebration of community pride. It’s when residents, business owners, and volunteers come together to refresh our streets, clear away what winter left behind, and take collective care of the place we all call home.
As the business owner of Hedonist Artisan Chocolates here in the South Wedge, I’m always especially grateful to see the City of Rochester’s street sweepers come through, clearing out the
gutters and helping our neighborhood look its best after the winter months. That care extends beyond the City, too—it’s reflected in the everyday actions of our neighbors.
People like Ron Meyer and his family of Kenron Heating and Cooling, who take the time to clean old posters off light poles and help maintain our beloved clock tower. And neighbors like Andrew
Stainton, who can often be found walking up and down Gregory Street with a bucket and hand picker, quietly doing his part to keep our streets clean. These acts of care are what make the South
Wedge such a special place.

Start the Season Early: SWPC River Cleanup – April 18
Before Clean Sweep, we invite you to join us for another meaningful way to give back:
SWPC River Cleanup
April 18, 2026, 10am-12pm
Genesee Gateway Park
151 Mt. Hope Avenue
Sign Up Here
Help us clean up the Genesee River as part of the Canal Clean Sweep!
SWPC, Genesee River Watch, and Walking for Rochester have joined forces to clean the South
Wedge portion of the Genesee River. Genesee River Watch will provide long-handled nets, poles,
grabbers, gloves, and other tools, while Walking for Rochester will assist with shoreline supplies.
Volunteers are welcome to bring their own gloves and tools if preferred, and should dress in
clothes and footwear that can withstand getting wet or muddy.
Join the team by signing up in advance.

City Clean Sweep – May 2
This year, Clean Sweep will take place on May 2nd, and we’re excited to once again gather as a community.
How to Participate: Join Team SWPC for Rochester’s City Clean Sweep!
Ballpark Volunteers (Full Experience):
Meet at Innovative Field at 8:00 AM and find Team SWPC.
Volunteers who meet at the stadium will receive:
Free parking, a ticket to the baseball game, a food voucher, & a Clean Sweep T-Shirt.
Neighborhood Volunteers:
If you can’t make it to the ballpark or prefer to stay local, meet directly at the SWPC office at 9:30 AM.
Neighborhood volunteers can register in advance.
You can also join neighbors through the Hickory Nuts Block Club or the Business Association of the South Wedge Area (BASWA), both of which are organizing their own Clean Sweep projects
right here in our neighborhood.

And keeping in the spirit of community clean-up and renewal, Hamilton Community Gardens will be hosting their Spring Clean-Up on the same day from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM—another
great opportunity to support a beloved neighborhood space.
What I love most about these events is the spirit behind them. You’ll see neighbors meeting for the first time, local businesses rolling up their sleeves alongside residents, and a shared sense of
ownership that makes a real difference. It’s a reminder that small actions, when done together, have a big impact.
After all of our hard work on May 2nd, we get to celebrate together. Participants are invited to enjoy a free Rochester Red Wings baseball game—a well-earned reward and a fun way to continue
connecting as a community. This is our chance to reset—after the long winter, to make our streets, parks, and riverfront more welcoming, support our local businesses, and create a cleaner, healthier environment for everyone.
I invite you to join us—whether it’s along the river on April 18, in the neighborhood on May 2, or both. Your presence matters. Let’s come together, celebrate the season, and take pride in keeping
the South Wedge vibrant and beautiful.
I hope to see you there. Go South Wedge!