Take Advantage of Fall Weather to Clean up Your Neighborhood
Miami may not have a traditional fall, but temperatures do slowly become more comfortable this time of year, which makes it so much easier for families to spend time outdoors. And, it is the perfect season for cleaning up the neighborhood in preparation for possible rough weather in the form of a hurricane or other storms.
After a long, hot summer, parks, sidewalks, yards, and shared community spaces can use some sprucing up. Picking up litter, removing debris, caring for landscaping, and keeping shared spaces clean can make a meaningful difference in how a neighborhood looks and feels.
Fall is still hurricane season in South Florida. Keeping outdoor areas tidy is an important part of preparing for severe weather. Families and neighborhoods should remove loose debris, trim branches when appropriate, and make sure outdoor items are secured before a storm.
Taking care of our neighborhoods isn't just about appearances, it makes our communities safer and stronger.
Organize or Join a Neighborhood Cleanup
Spend time with your neighbors cleaning up your street, local park or beach! Picking up litter is a fun, simple, and free activity that can have instant results for your child and your community. Organizing a cleanup is as simple as texting a few friends or neighbors to meet you outside with gloves and trash bags, and get to work cleaning the neighborhood! Take it further by spending time after the cleanup talking with the kids about why helping keep the neighborhood or other outdoor space clean is important.
Don’t want to organize a cleanup yourself? Participate in a beach or park cleanup held by a local organization! Miami’s own Volunteercleanup.org is a great place to find a cleanup near you.
Get Outside as a Family
Take advantage of the cooler fall weather by getting out in your neighborhood with a nature scavenger hunt! This could be completed in conjunction with a cleanup, or just as a fun excuse to be out in nature. Help children learn to appreciate and enjoy nature - when they do they are more likely to grow into adults who value and protect our environment.
Venture further afield, and explore Miami’s Underline! The Underline is a 10-mile linear park and urban trail, stretching from Brickell to Dadeland. This 120-acre public space and multi-modal transportation corridor transforms the land beneath the Metrorail into a vibrant network of paths, parks, and places that support everyday movement, community life, and long-term opportunity.
Anyone can help keep neighborhoods clean or take advantage of the cooler weather to appreciate nature this fall. All it takes is a willingness to help and the motivation to keep your neighborhood a safe and vibrant place for all who live there.
Doing Good Together’s Miami Kindness Project content is FREE thanks to the generous support of the Al and Jane Nahmad Foundation.