High School Students Give Back to Community at Garfield Park Clean-Up Event
Garfield Heights, OH – In an inspiring display of community service and environmental stewardship, members of the National Honor Society (NHS) and Key Club from a local high school teamed up for a productive day at Garfield Park. Led by teachers Jessica Schneider and Austin Stamatis, the students embarked on a field trip that combined outdoor exploration with meaningful action.
The day began with a hike through the scenic Garfield Park Reservation, where students enjoyed the crisp air and autumn foliage. Equipped with gloves, buckets, and trash bags, the group didn’t just admire the beauty of nature—they worked to preserve it. As they hiked, students picked up litter scattered throughout the park, participating in a collective effort to maintain its cleanliness and charm.
Adding an element of fun to the initiative, students turned the activity into a friendly competition to see who could fill their trash buckets the fastest. "It was great to see them so engaged, not only with each other but with the environment," said Jessica Schneider. "Watching them explore the outdoors and contribute to their community at the same time was truly rewarding."
Garfield Park Reservation, originally established as Newburgh Park in the 1890s and now managed by Cleveland Metroparks, holds historical significance as one of Cleveland’s earliest public parks. Located between Broadway Avenue and Turney Road, the park remains a vital green space for residents and visitors.
The clean-up effort aligns with the missions of both NHS and Key Club, international student-led organizations dedicated to service, character building, and leadership development. "This event not only helped beautify Garfield Park but also taught the students valuable lessons about teamwork, environmental responsibility, and the impact of their actions on the community," added Austin Stamatis.
By the end of the day, the group had collected numerous bags of trash, leaving the park cleaner and more inviting for everyone to enjoy. The students’ contributions reflect the power of community engagement and environmental care, leaving a lasting impact on Garfield Park and its visitors.
This event stands as a testament to the role young people can play in shaping a cleaner, more vibrant community—one bucket at a time.