The spring clean-up is an annual tradition at MLC that usually occurs around Earth Day. The entire student body takes a day off from classes to clean up the school campus from debris ahead of the school graduation in May.

The clean-up is not limited to the MLC campus. Students expanded to neighboring properties, including nearby parks. Nehls Park, Hermann Heights Park and Harman Park each had a team of students raking up leaves, twigs and trash.

Each team was led by two senior students. In Hermann Park, seniors Sophia Qualmann and Lisa Hoffer helped organize the cleanup. The two have taken part in the clean-up in past years and this was one of the better days in terms of weather. They remembered it being colder last year.

Most of the students were able to work in the sun. One of the most challenging clean-up sites was next to MLC’s library. The shade from the building kept things chilly. A higher number of leaves collect near the northwest side of the library due to landscaping, but the students are happy to do the work.

MLC students Sarah Vance and Joey Ehlke rake up leaves near MLC’s library. The area surrounding the library collects many leaves and is one of the more difficult parts to clear during the spring clean up efforts. Vance said while it is hard work, the annual spring clean up is fun. The entire school is able to spend the day outside with friends.

Second-year student Sarah Vance said even though they are working hard it is pretty fun to be outside with friends.

The MLC students in Nehls Park were also happy to chip in and clear the park. Located down the road from campus, Nehls Park is used frequently by students. MLC student Ben Schwartz said they love the park. The frisbee-golf club was holding a tournament at Nehls Park later in the day and it was in their best interest to keep it nice.

The Harman Park team managed to fill over 15 bags of leaves and twigs within the first hour of work. Students said Harman Park was overall a clean park. Gustav Wenz said at first they were not sure where to start cleaning. The playground at Harman was already clean. The bulk of the debris was located between the volleyball court and the hockey pit.

Wenz said there was not too much litter in the park, though they did find a lot of bottle caps.

New Ulm Park and Recreation Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Ryan Weier praised the work the MLC students were doing. He said it is a significant help to city staff.

“There is so much work to do in the spring,” Weier said. “This work is a huge asset for us.”

Currently park staff is working to get city parks operational, but debris removal is always a challenge. The winter season pushes and packs leaves and garbage into all areas of the park. Since the city does not yet have summer staff available to do the clean-up, MLC students are performing a great service.

Weier wanted to acknowledge the city does appreciate the work of MLC and other groups in helping keep parks clean.