Great Smoky Mountains Spur Clean-Up Day

Lend a hand and help clean-up the Great Smoky Mountains Spur. Photo credit – John Lang

Great Smoky Mountains Spur Clean Up Day Tuesday, April 18, 2017. The Spur is approximately five miles of the foothills parkway connecting Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, a scenic stretch often “loved to death” by thoughtless motorists and anglers; and your participation is needed to help remove trash and debris. Last year’s clean-up collected about 19 bags of trash per mile.

The spur clean-up coincides with area Earth Week activities culminating with Earth Day April 22, 2017. Sevier County is proud to join communities around the world in an effort to clean-up the mess left by others. The three-hour event is a joint effort by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Keep Sevier Beautiful Foundation.

“The strong volunteer response is evidence of the commitment by our local residents and businesses to the preservation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park for future generations,” said Jim Downs of the Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Keep Sevier Beautiful provides everything you need to participate with the exception of gloves. Each clean-up team will consist of ten enthusiastic members. Fourteen teams comprised of 85 people collected 97 large bags of garbage during last year’s event. The team that collects the most trash will enjoy a pizza party at Big Daddy’s Pizzeria. All participants will enjoy free ice cream provided by Ben & Jerry’s.

Join the fun and help clean-up the Great Smoky Mountains National Park by registering at the Gatlinburg Welcome Center Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. Crews begin work at 9 a.m. and finish at noon. Volunteers are advised to wear sturdy footwear and gloves. The Gatlinburg Welcome Center is located at 1011 Banner Road, Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738. To register in advance visit www.gatlinburg.com or call 865-436-0505. Unregistered eco-minded friends and strangers will also be heartily welcomed on the day of the event!