Great American Clean Up Brings Accessibility, Stewardship, and Community Together at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse ONA

On April 25, 2026, the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area (ONA) hosted a uniquely meaningful Great American Clean Up event in partnership with Children’s Therapies, Inc. Held in honor of Occupational Therapy Month, the event welcomed children with disabilities and their families for a day of stewardship, exploration, and inclusive outdoor recreation. 

A total of 32 participants joined ONA staff along the site’s historic corridor to help remove debris, ultimately clearing an impressive 150 pounds of recyclables and trash. Beyond the cleanup effort, families enjoyed a series of immersive activities designed to connect visitors with the cultural and ecological significance of the ONA. 

Participants were treated to panoramic views of the Jupiter Inlet and Loxahatchee River from the pedestrian pier, a guided historic tour, and—where accessible—an opportunity to climb the iconic Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. The day also included a nature hike and Junior Ranger activities, providing hands-on educational fun for children of all abilities. 

Importantly, the event served as an opportunity for families to test the ONA’s newly upgraded accessible pathways, a key feature of the area’s ongoing Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Shoreline Stabilization Project. These ADA pathway improvements support the ONA’s commitment to ensuring that public lands are welcoming and accessible to all visitors, including those with mobility or sensory challenges. 

For many families, the accessible design made a meaningful difference. Participant Meghan Castle, who attended with Children’s Therapies, shared her appreciation for the inclusive improvements: “I just wanted to express my gratitude for how accessible the whole area is as my son is a wheelchair user. Please extend my appreciation to those involved in the decisions to be inclusive with enhancements to the area. I understand it is nature and I love the natural areas but also appreciate my son being able to enjoy them as well.” 

By blending environmental stewardship with accessibility and community engagement, this year’s Great American Clean Up highlighted the power of partnerships and inclusive design in advancing the BLM mission.