After Pride Celebrations, Washington Square Park Conservancy Volunteers Help Keep the Park Clean

Pride weekend is always a joyous occasion in Greenwich Village. And Washington Square Park has long been a gathering place for the LGBTQIA+ community – a birthplace of the queer liberation movement, and today remains a safe space to gather, protest, and celebrate.

We estimate that, each June, Pride celebrations bring over 50,000 visitors to Washington Square Park and the surrounding area. After the weekend celebrations come to a close, the sense of community carries on as volunteers and staff pitch in to keep the park looking its best.

A Community Effort

The Washington Square Park Conservancy was proud to bring together volunteers to support NYC Parks staff in its annual Post-Pride Cleanup, helping refresh the park after one of its busiest weekends of the year.

"This year's pride clean up was a beautiful display of cooperation from NYC Parks staff and volunteers.” said Jack O’Brien, the Washington Square Park Conservancy’s Volunteer Coordinator. “We were able to clean up the whole park by noon!"

Volunteers rolled up their sleeves throughout the morning, picking up litter and sweeping pathways to ensure Washington Square Park was ready for everyone to enjoy. Each person involved made a meaningful impact, helping to preserve Washington Square Park as a vibrant, beautiful gathering place New Yorkers and visitors love.

Before and after

Before and after

Thank you to everyone who dedicated their time and energy to keep Washington Square Park clean: volunteers, Conservancy staff, and our partners at NYC Parks. Same time next year?

Get Involved

Interested in volunteering at a one-time Community Cleanup like this one, or getting involved on a regular basis? Click here to learn more about how to get involved.