Transformation Park marks first year with community clean-up and cookout

Transformation Park and Keep Amarillo Clean held a community clean-up April 23 beginning at 8:30 a.m., followed by a hamburger cookout at The HUB; the park reports 363 consecutive evenings of operation and that its Cabin Community has sheltered 82 residents since opening.

Transformation Park marked its one-year anniversary by partnering with Keep Amarillo Clean for a community clean-up on Thursday, April 23. Volunteers met at The HUB at 601 S. Travis and focused efforts in nearby blocks. The event concluded with a hamburger cookout that brought volunteers and residents together for a shared meal. Organizers framed the day as part of building community while addressing homelessness in Amarillo. Event details: - Date and time: Thursday, April 23, volunteers met at 8:30 a.m.; clean-up work ran until about 11:30 a.m., with a cookout at 11:30 a.m. - Meeting point: The HUB, 601 S. Travis; clean-up area concentrated between Adams and Georgia Streets and from 3rd to 10th. - Transformation Park reported operating 363 consecutive evenings since opening and said its Cabin Community has sheltered 82 residents with an average stay of 44 nights. - Of those residents, Transformation Park reported that 35% secured employment outside the park and 13 individuals transitioned into permanent housing or rehabilitation programs. - Keep Amarillo Clean reported collecting 320 bags of trash in the city so far this year and stated a goal of 500 bags by July 4. Summary: The anniversary event brought volunteers and residents together for shared work and a meal, and organizers said the partnership reflects a belief that community unity is important to addressing homelessness. Reported shelter figures show residents have spent an average of 44 nights in the Cabin Community and some have moved into employment or longer-term housing; Keep Amarillo Clean is aiming to reach 500 collected bags by July 4.