HIGHLIGHTS
Residents Pitch In to Remove
Seventeen Tons of Debris at
Community Cleanups
5 Steps to a Home Garden
with Arlington Parks
1. Determine Space and Sunlight
The first step to planting a garden is
determining the space and sunlight
you have available. For Arlington
residents with full tree cover, you’ll
need to select leafy greens that can
tolerate shade.
2. Prepare the Garden
On February 22nd, the Neighborhood Enhancement Team removed
over four tons of debris at the third neighborhood cleanup in the
Lake Arlington Highlands neighborhood. Combined with two other
Enhancement Team cleanups, more than 17 tons of trash, junk, and
debris have been removed from Arlington neighborhoods.
City staff and 35 neighborhood volunteers concluded the cleanup with
a block party to celebrate their efforts. Sandy Godwin, a Lake Arlington
Highlands resident of 34 years said, “I love to keep our neighborhood
neat and inviting and I think this is wonderful!”
Removing yard waste, old fence panels, broken appliances, trash and
other waste transforms neighborhoods through this unique partnership
between city staff, Republic Services, property owners, and volunteers.
Prior to a neighborhood cleanup event, residents are invited to
a neighborhood meeting with City staff to discuss keeping their
neighborhood clean, safe, and engaged in the community.
During the neighborhood cleanup day, the Neighborhood Enhancement
Team, Fire and Police departments, and volunteers canvass the
neighborhood and assist residents in need of physical assistance, pick up
litter, and celebrate with residents at the free block party.
The Neighborhood Enhancement Team provides a win-win as Arlington
works together to Champion Great Neighborhoods in The American
Dream City.
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After locating a space you’ll need
to prepare it either by tilling or no-till
cleaning. The idea is to remove
competing plants to allow your
garden to establish.
3. Know your Soil
Soils can be fine (also known as
heavy) if they are made up of clay,
or coarse if they are made up of
sand. The important thing to know is
that clay packs together tighter and
doesn’t drain as well as sandy soil.
4. Pick your Crops
Now that you have a prepared bed
for your garden, select the crop you
want to produce based on the time
of year.
5. Tend your Garden
Gardening is very rewarding as
long as you have time to devote to
care and maintenance. The most
important things you’ll need to keep
up with over the entire growing
season of your plants are watering
and weeding.