COVINGTON, Ky. — Keep Covington Beautiful has held the Great American Cleanup event twice each year now. Once in the spring, and once in the fall.

“We’re trying to make sure that everything is clean and green and a perfect place for people to live work and play,” Keep Covington Beautiful’s president Jen Barnett said.

Barnett said volunteers gathered on Saturday Oct. 22, 2022 for the fall cleanup. People were out picking up litter and removing other forms of trash. Volunteer groups were also tasked with beautifying certain parts of Covington.

“Planting flowers in planters up and down the streetscape, and I believe there’s a mural project going on in the city as well,” she said.

Another thing some volunteers were out doing was planting trees. Out there as well on the project was Patrick Moore, an urban forester. Moore said trees provide that beautification aspect, but they also provide shade and do a lot more than just beautify.

“These trees are in a tough place to live but if we can help them maintain and survive after this planting, then it’s a really big plus for the city and the community to have — from an energy standpoint, from a mental health standpoint, as well as just enjoying the shade,” Moore said.

These volunteers are community members, just working to make the best of their community.

“I would love to say that all of our volunteers have made a great effort in making it a place that we love to live work and play,” Barnett said.