Local resident Marty Smith winner of the "most trash cleaned up" prize. (click to enlarge)

Ogden Valley Community Cleanup Celebrates Generosity and Local Spirit
By JuliaRae and Terry Murphy - 8 May 2026
 
The spirit of cleaning up the Valley is not just attributed to one person’s passion. In 2000, Drew from Eden Coffee, moved here from Minnesota, and brought his concept of community with him. His first cleanup effort began with a 2-mile section of Powder Mountain Road working with World Mark. Next he got permission from UDOT to clean up another 2 miles of Powder Mountain Road when he started the coffee shop next to Valley Market and yet another 2 miles with his hot tub company. Eventually ending up with 10 miles of road clean up. Each year he pulled out 6-8 huge orange bags of trash. 
 
Moving forward, I always admired the efforts of keeping the Valley pristine, and started cleaning up Pineview, where I was overwhelmed at the amount of trash and I could not clean it alone. So, I created an Earth Day cleanup in 2019, as a community cleanup for anywhere in the Valley. 
 
Because let’s admit it, it’s everywhere. 
 
This year’s Ogden Valley Community Cleanup brought together residents and volunteers committed to keeping the valley beautiful. After 265 lbs. of trash and a few surprising discoveries along the way, we are pleased that all our efforts are paying off. 
 
I would like to express my gratitude to all those who started the momentum of community and for Tyler Ward at T-works who has contributed three years in a row to haul away the trash. 
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Eden Coffee and Cocoa offered the drop-off space for the last two years and free coffee for those who helped. Rate Mortgage for bag and bucket donations, Ogden Valley Guide, and Altitude Fitness and health for offering sponsored prizes. 
 
Participants were invited to compete for prizes recognizing the most unusual item collected and the most trash collected. Our local resident Marty Smith took the initiative and cleaned up on Earth Day with us and Saturday’s Spring cleanup, as well. She received the most trash cleaned up prize, sponsored by Altitude Fitness and Health. 
 
And for this year’s most unusual “finds” included a variety of discarded medical supplies, earning the top spot for uniqueness. 
 
In a gesture that reflects the true spirit of the valley, the winner chose to remain anonymous and generously donated their prize—an Enhanced Listing in the Ogden Valley Guide—to Eden Coffee & Cocoa. The donation honors the coffee shop’s support in hosting the cleanup’s drop-off location and providing refreshments to volunteers throughout the event.
 
The cleanup was a great reminder of what makes Ogden Valley special: a community that shows up, works together, and supports local businesses that give back.
 
Making a difference!