County Unites for Growing Green Community Initiative

Prince George’s County, MD — Over the weekend, residents from across the county came together for a spirited effort to clean and beautify their neighborhoods as part of the Growing Green Community Initiative. Spearheaded by the Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPWT), the initiative brought together local organizations, civic groups, and residents for community cleanups and a major tree-planting project, showcasing the power of grassroots collaboration.

The event featured several coordinated efforts across the district, including a vibrant partnership with the Iota Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and residents of Lake Arbor. Volunteers in this area rolled up their sleeves to plant trees and pick up litter, transforming public spaces into greener, more inviting areas.

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Growing Green with Pride, the DPWT partnered with the Langley Park Civic Association, along with the Hope Empowerment Abundant Life (H.E.A.L) Church of District Heights, and Radio One for the spring cleanup event. Small businesses, faith-based groups, schools, community organizations, and residents teamed up to tackle different areas in the County impacted by heavy litter and trash accumulation.

More than 2,000 people joined the effort on Saturday, April 26, to make a difference in the community. Additionally, DPW&T also partnered with our sister agency, the Department of Environment (DoE), and the Prince George's County Beautification Committee for Arbor Day 2025 at Oxon Hill Elementary School.

In Largo, the Largo Civic Association led a separate community cleanup that saw dozens of residents participate. Equipped with safety vests, gloves, litter grabbers, and trash bags provided by the County’s Department of Public Works and Transportation, participants scoured local parks and streets, removing debris and revitalizing the area.

Meanwhile, in Forestville, Hope Empowerment Abundant Life Church joined forces with community leaders and local organizations for a third cleanup event. Volunteers young and old worked side by side to collect trash, spread mulch, and restore neighborhood pride.

“These efforts reflect the power of partnership and community pride,” said Council Member Blegay. “We are grateful to all the organizations and residents who worked with the District 6 Office to improve and sustain the beauty of our neighborhoods.”

Acting County Executive Tara Jackson praised the event and the volunteers who participated, emphasizing the importance of maintaining clean and vibrant communities.

“Litter continues to be a problem in communities across our nation, making the beautification of our County a constant work in progress,” Jackson said. “Through this effort, we are doing our part to keep our County clean and beautiful, and I am extremely proud of the stewardship everyone has shown.”

Jackson encouraged families, coworkers, and neighbors to get involved, stressing that “it takes a village” to uphold community standards. Her message resonated with attendees who shared a common goal: to ensure that Prince George’s County remains, in her words, “the Crown Jewel of Maryland.”

The Department of Public Works and Transportation played a crucial role in supporting the initiative by providing the necessary materials and logistical support. With spring in full bloom, the timing was perfect for the Growing Green with Pride Day — a chance for residents to take tangible steps toward a cleaner, greener future.

As the event came to a close, the collective impact was clear: cleaner streets, newly planted trees, and a renewed sense of unity among District 6 residents. The success of the initiative stood as a testament to what can be achieved when community members come together with a shared purpose.

“Let us come together, have fun, and make our community shine,” Jackson said — and this weekend, District 6 certainly did.