The Joshua Tree Wash Cleanup event, held on Saturday, September 28, 2024, was a huge success, thanks in large part to Frank Haggard, San Bernardino County Service Area 20 (CSA 20) Regional Manager, for organizing the efforts. The large wash area north of Sunburst Park was significantly affected by the accumulation of trash left by unhoused individuals. The prospect of cleaning up all the rubbish and abandoned items that had accumulated in the area was overwhelming to the Park District staff.
With assistance provided by SBC Code Enforcement, the Joshua Tree Clean Team, the 29 Palms Marine Air Ground Combat Center, the Joshua Tree RV Campground, CSA20 Maintenance, and Office Staff, trash, appliances, and abandoned clothing in a large section of the affected wash were removed. Two 3-yard dumpsters, one 40-yard roll-off unit, and three large dump trailers were filled to the brim during the 5-hour work session. Although there is still work to do to complete the cleanup of the remaining area of the wash, this should be more manageable since the larger items and more difficult sites were tackled by this amazing group effort.
A huge THANK YOU goes out to all the volunteers who partnered with the district in this Herculean effort. We would also like to express our gratitude to the local Home Depot, which provided in-kind donations of pick-up sticks, rakes, flat shovels, trash bins, and contractor bags. Drinks and snacks were provided by the JTRV Camp. Witnessing the generosity and kindness of the people collaborating to restore this section of the wash to its original beauty was truly inspirational.
Before
After
