Signal Mountain residents are gathering at Althaus Park for Sparkle Day March 11.With the town of Signal Mountain and the Signal Mountain Lions Club having successfully revitalized the Sparkle Day town cleanup effort in 2016, the event is returning Saturday, March 11 from 9 a.m. to noon. Participants will gather at Althaus Park before splitting into groups, each tasked with cleaning up one of several zones scattered across the mountain.
"It helps people focus on the beauty of the mountain and helps protect the beauty of the mountain," said event organizer and town Councilman Bob Spalding.
The five established zones are Taft Highway, Shackleford Ridge Road, Shoal Creek Road, Lena Givens Park, Rainbow Lake Land Trust and James Boulevard, though more may be added depending on the number of participants. Residents of both Signal Mountain and Walden are also encouraged to form groups in their own neighborhoods.
Last year, the roads with the most litter were identified as Timberlinks Drive and Edwards Point, Shackleford Ridge and Shoal Creek roads. Spalding said this is partly because of the roads' proximity to the high school, where sporting events draw out-of-towners who are more likely to litter, as well as construction workers from Nolan Elementary using the roads.
The brainchild of Realtor John Rankin, Sparkle Day began in the 1970s as an eco-friendly event focused on picking up litter. It continued until 1998 and was brought back last May.
"We had pretty good success for the first time," Spalding said regarding last year's rebirth, adding that several community groups, such as the Boy Scouts who cleaned up the area around the Rainbow Lake trailhead, contributed heavily to the effort.
Spalding said organizers decided to hold the event in April this year so the grass would be lower, making the trash easier to spot and reducing the risk of snake encounters.
Town stormwater personnel will be attending to hand out information, and reflective vests and trash bags will be provided for volunteers. Participants should wear long pants and weather-appropriate clothing, and bring either plastic gloves or an extension arm with a claw for sanitary purposes when picking up trash. Children who wish to participate without the supervision of their parents or a community group will need to sign a waiver available from Town Hall.
Once the litter has been cleared, everyone will convene back at Althaus Park for music, food, games and the presentation of awards. Free hot dogs will be provided by the Lions Club, and free soft drinks and water will be donated by the town for the event, said Spalding.
Althaus Park is behind the Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club at 809 James Blvd. Additional information is available at facebook.com/signalmountainsparkleday, by emailing the Signal Mountain Town Hall at info@signalmountaintn.gov or by calling 886-2177.