Mayor LaFrance celebrates expansion of Healthy Spaces cleanup crews

This spring, the Municipality of Anchorage is officially launching an additional 10-person Healthy Spaces crew-effectively doubling the number of boots on the ground dedicated to cleaning up parks, trails, and greenbelts year-round.

Managed by Anchorage Parks and Recreation, the Healthy Spaces team cleans and revitalizes public spaces, removing litter, addressing illegal dumping, and remediating areas where illegal camping has occurred. The Healthy Spaces team removed more than 2.4 million pounds of trash from public lands across the Municipality in 2025.

"A cleaner community is a safer community," said Mayor Suzanne LaFrance. "Our parks and trails are the crown jewels of Anchorage, and we want to ensure every resident and visitor can enjoy them. By doubling our Healthy Spaces capacity, we are making a visible, lasting investment in the health of our neighborhoods-and just in time for breakup season."

The Municipality maintains 250 miles of trails and greenbelts and nearly 11,000 acres of parkland. The Healthy Spaces program is critical to making green spaces clean, safe, welcoming, and accessible for all residents.

The team's expansion is made possible through a dedicated $4 surcharge at Solid Waste Services (SWS) proposed by Assembly Chair Chris Constant and approved by the Anchorage Assembly last year, creating sustainable funding for the revitalization and cleanup of outdoor spaces without property tax dollars. The surcharge-$4 for small loads and $4 per ton for large loads-went into effect in January at SWS facilities, supporting public health and safety across Anchorage.

How residents can help:

Mayor LaFrance encourages residents to be active partners in cleanup efforts this spring. Residents can report illegal dumping or trash accumulation using the online form: Report Homeless Camp or Trash Concern. Reports from the public help municipal crews deploy more efficiently and prioritize areas that need immediate attention.

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Contact: Emily Goodykoontz [email protected] 1 (907) 205-6683 ​

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