Sarnia's parks and public spaces will get a spring cleaning this weekend during the annual Community Parks Clean-Up Day on Saturday.
Community Services Coordinator Rachel Veilleux said the annual initiative started in 2015, however, there was a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Clean-up day initiated, of course, because we wanted to engage the community in helping our team clean-up our parks and our green spaces," she said. "But also to encourage the community to get outdoors and spend some time with neighbours, friends, and family, and just really enjoy what's already in your backyard."
Residents can assemble a clean-up crew to meet at a specified location such as Sherwood Village, Clearwater Park, Heritage Park, and Centennial Park.
The event is hosted in partnership with NOVA Chemicals, which will provide volunteers with supplies such as gloves, garbage bags, and a recycling bin. Lambton Public Health has also donated sharps kits for cleaners to use.
At last check, Veilleux said about 300 participants have registered for the clean-up event.
"Given that we're just easing out of restrictions, I'm honestly very impressed with the participation," she said.
The clean-up will start at 10 a.m. Saturday and run until 12 p.m. After some hard work, registered participants are invited to Canatara Park for a complimentary BBQ lunch, provided by the Rotary Club of Sarnia-Lambton After-Hours.
The Community Parks Clean-Up Day is typically held during Earth Week. This year's event falls on the day after Earth Day, which is observed on Friday.
The registration form for the clean-up can be found on the city's website. Veilleux said residents who clean a green space on Saturday without registering ahead of time are still encouraged to contact the city so it can be added to its clean-up tally.
-With files from Colin Gowdy
