Rochester Main Street invites residents and volunteers to participate in Rochester Cares Cleanup Day on Saturday, April 18, 2026. This annual community-wide effort focuses on enhancing the cleanliness and appearance of downtown and other neighborhoods, parks, and public spaces throughout the city.

Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own rakes, gloves, and wheelbarrows if possible. The day will begin with check-in and a light breakfast in Central Square from 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM, followed by the cleanup from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. A volunteer lunch will be provided in Central Square from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.

According to Rochester Main Street Executive Director Jeff Bisson, since Rochester Cares began, volunteers and business owners have noticed something encouraging: “Each year, there’s less and less litter to pick up.”

“That’s what happens when people take pride in their community—others follow, and it shows,” said Bisson. “This year, we’re expanding, with additional areas on the outskirts of our district included in cleanup efforts, helping spread that same level of care across a wider part of the city.”

Bisson says that small efforts add up, adding, “a few hours of work can make a space more welcoming, more usable, and something the community can take pride in.”

Rochester Cares is supported by several local sponsors and partners committed to strengthening the community and promoting civic pride. For more information, visit www.rochestermainstreet.org.