LAKE PLACID — The Adirondack Sports Council is taking on another beloved local sport this spring: Picking up litter.

The 61st annual Lake Placid Village Cleanup is set for May 4 at 9 a.m. with familiar prizes and a new coordinator. Managed in past years by the Lake Placid Garden Club, Andrea Grout and Tricia Garrett, the ADKSC announced this year that it would be running the cleanup under the banner of its Save Winter campaign.

“Save Winter was the overarching umbrella that we used to talk about our sustainability initiatives during the (2023 FISU Winter World University Games),” said Karlan Jessen, ADKSC director of legacy, sustainability and operational efficiency. “If we don’t take action as a collective community, there might not be a winter for us to celebrate winter sports, and it’s really important in a community like Lake Placid.”

Jessen said Grout and Garrett expressed a desire to hand off management of the event and the village of Lake Placid and town of North Elba were on the hunt for a new coordinator. The ADKSC, which Jessen characterized as “strong partners” with the village and town, stepped up.

“When we ask (the village and town) for something, they’re right there to help, so we wanted to be right there to help, as well,” she said. “Under the auspices of our Save Winter campaign, we thought it seemed like a good fit,” she said.

Jessen said next month’s village cleanup will be “mostly the same” to those in past years. Volunteers can sign up ahead of time or join the cleanup on the day-of. Home base for the event will be the Mirror Lake Beach House and trash bags will be provided. Attendees are asked to bring their own gloves.

One of the biggest draws for the event every year has been its scavenger hunt-like nature that engages families. The prizes, such as gift certificates donated from local businesses, will be scattered around the village as always this year. The cleanup will begin at 9 a.m. and end at noon, and the rain date is May 11.

The ADKSC is coordinating the event to invest in its home community, Jessen said.

“The Sports Council relies on events and sporting events throughout the year,” she said. “We’re as much a part of the community and want to keep it as clean and ready to go for tourists as anyone.”

To pre-register for the cleanup, contact Jessen at karlan@adksc.org or 253-691-1632.