On Saturday, May 10, the city of Hobart gathered at 9 a.m. at Festival Park Bandshell for a community cleanup event. Volunteers worked together to clean up the park and streets and plant flowers along Main Street. There was a great turnout, which included elected officials, council members, and even Mayor Josh Huddlestun. Mark Kara, the second district councilman for Hobart, was also in attendance and contributed to the efforts, positively impacting the community.
“This is ultimately about raising awareness,” said Huddlestun. “When someone throws something out of their car window, who will pick that up? We drive around and see litter in the parks, even though plenty of trash receptacles are available. So we encourage people to take responsibility and pick up after themselves. That way, we wouldn’t need these community cleanups as often. Still, they’re necessary—and it’s great to see our turnout here today.”
Kara enjoyed participating in the cleanup because he is naturally active and appreciates being outdoors. For him, the experience wasn’t just about improving the environment—it was also about connecting with others, staying active, and contributing to something meaningful alongside fellow community members.
“I think it’s really about buying into the community,” said Kara. “You know, the people who get out and participate in cleanups—you’re less likely to litter because you’re the one picking it up. It opens your eyes. Plus, you get to meet different people in the neighborhood, whether you’re a resident or not. A lot of times, elected officials show up, too. So you might meet your councilman or your mayor. The police and fire departments are often there as well. It’s just a great way to bring the community together.”
Huddlestun and Kara had participated in the cleanup effort numerous times. They returned annually, weather permitting, for nearly a decade to lend a hand. Their consistent collaboration proved effective, as their efforts often inspired others to join. Community members were seen collecting trash that might have otherwise been ignored, with some even taking pride in how much they could gather.
“The park's cleanup is annual,” said Kara. “I just retired last year, so I don’t necessarily have a work commitment getting in the way anymore. But I’d say it’s been three or four years since I’ve been helping clean up the parks. We did the West Side cleanup a couple of weeks ago, so it’s not just the parks; we’re also covering different city sections.”
At the event, city staff, including the police and fire departments, came together to help with the cleanup. Many dedicated volunteers also returned, and the community greatly appreciated their contributions.
“I think it takes a little bit of everyone to make sure our community stays clean, and it’s important that everyone does their part,” said Huddlestun. “I always say it takes a village to build a community, and this, everyone coming out to help, is a great example of that. It shows people’s commitment to the city of Hobart and how much they care. It’s pretty cool to see everyone come together like this.”
Both Kara and Huddlestun saw great potential for even more people to get involved in the cleanup events. While smaller groups typically showed up, they believed that because of the support of Mayor Josh and the informative community website, cityofhobart.org, they were able to reach more residents.
“I think it’s a challenge to get people out sometimes—people have busy lives,” said Huddlestun. “But some do it independently, even if they’re not in a group. Still, I’d love to see more community members come out, support, and help clean up. We see people of all ages—kids, adults, and seniors. It’s cool to see that wide range of participation.”
Kara believes that expanding the event can be achieved through word-of-mouth promotion. Sharing information and encouraging more people to get involved could attract more volunteers, as it has worked in the past.
“I think word of mouth spreads, and we do get groups involved,” said Kara. “Last year, I cleaned with the Junior ROTC from Hobart High School, so we had those kids helping. People need to come out and try it once—they’ll see it’s not a burden. It’s a lot of fun and does a lot of good.”
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