This project began with one person and a trash bag. What started as a simple effort to clean up litter in the park quickly revealed a much larger need—and an opportunity for the community to come together and take action.

In 2023, I began independently picking up trash in Fairview Woods Wetlands Park. The more I cleaned, the more I uncovered: bucketfuls of syringes, drug paraphernalia, car batteries, shopping carts, bike parts, car tires and other waste—much of it leaching into the wetlands and threatening the water supply. Despite these challenges, I saw immense potential in the park and began attending Fairview Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee meetings and speaking at City Council sessions, in hopes of partnering with the City in finding a path forward.

With their permission and encouragement, I was granted permission to host a weekend cleanup. Twelve Mile Disposal generously donated a 40-yard dumpster, which I filled in a single weekend—hauling out over 50 wheelbarrows of trash and more than two dozen shopping carts from the park and surrounding forest.

A turning point came in the winter of 2024, when a large encampment fire ignited a propane tank, burning down over 400 square feet of forest. It was a frightening reminder of how vulnerable this urban forest is to fire, pollution, and environmental degradation. This incident deepened both my commitment and the urgency of the work ahead.

City staff were responsive and supportive, but like many small cities, Fairview has limited resources. They encouraged me to continue building a community-led response, which is how Friends of Fairview Woods was born—a 100% volunteer-driven organization focused on restoring and protecting the park for future generations.

Since then, I’ve organized multiple SOLVE events, led volunteers in removing invasive ivy and blackberry, and spent countless hours clearing trash and improving safety in the park. What began as one person with a trash picker is now a growing coalition of partners and residents working together.

Our goal is simple yet urgent:

To make this park safe, healthy, and welcoming once again—especially for the children and families who live nearby and rely on this space for connection to nature.

We are grateful to the City of Fairview, The Wetlands Conservancy (our Fiscal Sponsor), all of our nonprofit and community partners, and the many neighbors who are beginning to see what’s possible. This is just the beginning—and there’s still much to do—but together, we are writing a new future for Fairview Woods.