Turner Valley and Black Diamond residents will join forces to clean up their communities this weekend.
The Town of Turner Valley and Black Diamond Parks and Recreation Committee are inviting residents to grab their gardening gloves and head out to pocket gardens, parks, walking trails, river banks and ditches along the highway for Project Green Day on May 28.
Registration begins at 9 a.m. at the Scott Seaman Arena, with coffee and snacks provided. Participants will be assigned locations and given garbage and recycling bags to collect litter, dead branches and other debris.
“It’s a nice community engagement event and it’s an opportunity for people to come together from the different towns,” said Meg Porter, chair of the Black Diamond Parks and Recreation Committee. “At the same time, you are able to be proud of the community you are in because you are beautifying it.”
Porter said the event was held earlier in the spring for several years, but last year it happened in late May with great success.
“Last year was one of our best ones that we’ve had in terms of turnout,” Porter said, adding they had 47 volunteers. “We have younger kids and older people so it’s really nice to meet your neighbours and new people.”
Even when the weather is unfavourable, Porter said residents still head out into the green spaces to do their part.
“Usually we have enough people, even when it’s been poor weather,” she said. “I always think any volunteers is great. It’s promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship. It’s only once a year, but it’s a great way to start spring by having a nice clean town.”
In her strolls around the communities, Porter hasn’t noticed a lot of garbage or litter, but said Project Green Day does a great job cleaning up problem areas like along the highway and beautifying the pocket gardens between businesses along Black Diamond’s Main Street.
Black Diamond parks and recreation manager Les Quinton said it’s great seeing residents playing a role in keeping their communities clean.
“Stuff does get dropped on roadways and pathways and parks through the towns,” he said. “It’s nice when we get a hand to help keep it clean.”
Quinton said it’s a matter of pride.
“If you come into town, it doesn’t matter what town it is, that first impression is always important and if you drive in and you see garbage all over the place and it’s cut up with the mowers it really does turn people away,” he said. “If you come in and it’s nicely cut and it looks clean it gives people a lot better impression and they are more likely to stop and do something.”
Once the volunteers complete their work, they are invited to a complimentary barbecue prepared by the Foothills Lions Club at the rink at noon.
Participants will have the opportunity to win door prizes ranging from gift certificates to rain barrels.
