Creek gets quick cleanup

Photo: Ragnar Haagen

Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy volunteers take part in the community cleanup at Mission Creek.

Volunteers converged at Mission Creek Regional Park today, taking part in the Community 20-Minute Makeover.

About two dozen hockey players and naturalists joined forces with various walking groups to clean up the Greenway and surrounding areas.

The event is sponsored by the Central Okanagan Regional District’s Waste Reduction Office, which kicked off Community Cleanup Month.

”These events are a great way to bring the community together to make a positive difference and make an impact,” said Rae Stewart, waste reduction facilitator.

“You know what they say, ‘many hands make light work.’ We really want to showcase how easy it is for anyone, anywhere to get involved.”

The cleanup will last throughout the month, and anyone interested can contact waste reduction for bags and gloves, and they will even arrange to pick up the waste you’ve collected.

Tuesday’s cleanup included members of the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy and their coaches, who were joined by members of the Central Okanagan Naturalists Club, Friends of the South Slopes and the TRACS walking group.

“The volunteers will be giving some TLC to parts of the Greenway and the area directly adjacent to Springfield Avenue. Mission Creek Park is one of the many jewels of our regional parks network. Because it’s in the heart of the city, it’s also one of the most well-travelled parks and highly visible. The last thing we want to see is a bunch of litter tarnishing its’ natural beauty,” said Stewart.

To arrange your own 20 Minute Makeover or Community Cleanup event, contact the Regional Waste Reduction Office at 250-469-6250.