Getting ready for spring cleanup

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/04/2021 (789 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Each year, as the weather gets warmer, the snow melts, and flowers begin to bloom, more of us spend more time outside.

During the pandemic our city’s parks saw a 51 per cent increase in visits. This, of course, makes sense — while we limit contacts and adhere to necessary restrictions, it’s no surprise we’ve been spending more time in parks and outdoor spaces. Now, with spring here, this time will only increase, and with it, our need for a vibrant and clean community.

In the coming weeks, the city will be conducting its spring cleanup program, in which over 7,000 kilometres of streets and 1,600 kilometres of walkways, as well as city parks, will be cleaned by crews.

The program typically begins in mid-April, when temperatures start to stay consistently above freezing. This is because the sweeping equipment uses water for dust suppression. Cleanup crews have already been doing preliminary work on designated active transportation routes in advance of the regular operations.

A residential streets cleanup status map can be accessed here: www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/springcleanup/map.stm

Cleanup crews ask that residents be mindful of parking restrictions in neighbourhoods.

Many Winnipeggers also take this time to clean their yards and engage in group community cleanups. In the past, we’ve partnered with such groups and lent a helping hand by providing gloves, garbage bags, and other supplies. This year is no different — if you’d like to hold a physically distant community cleanup, reach out to my office and let us know how we can help.

On many of these cleanup events, we’ve been joined by Take Pride Winnipeg, an organization aimed at promoting our collective role in making Winnipeg clean and beautiful. I serve on Take Pride Winnipeg’s board of directors as the city council representative, and make positive connections between the organization and neighbourhood groups.

In the words of Tom Ethans, executive director at Take Pride Winnipeg: “It is fantastic when groups get together to make a difference. The more people get involved to make the city cleaner and beautiful the better it is.”

I couldn’t agree more.

As always, feel free to reach out to my office with any of your ideas, perspectives, or concerns about things you’re seeing in our ward and city. You can reach out by phoning 204-986-5264 or by emailing devi@winnipeg.ca

Devi Sharma
Old Kildonan ward report

Devi Sharma is the city councillor for Old Kildonan.

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