Sprucing up Black Diamond and Turner Valley’s green spaces will require a morning of hard work from residents again this year.
The Towns are putting a call out to volunteers to assist with picking up debris in parks, pocket gardens and along pathways, Highway 7 and the Friendship Trail during its annual spring clean-up, called Project Green Day, May 27 from 9 a.m. to noon.
The Black Diamond Parks and Recreation Committee and the Town of Turner Valley organize the clean-up to improve the appearance of the towns and help preserve the environment.
“It helps keep our towns clean,” said Les Quinton, Black Diamond parks and recreation manager. “When you come into town it’s nice to see things neat and tidy and not garbage everywhere. We want it to look nice so it’s attractive for people to come here.”
Quinton said getting residents involved in keeping the towns clean instills a sense of pride in the communities.
“If people are helping to clean it up they are much more likely to do it all year and they are much more likely to say something to someone else,” he said. “It helps build the community spirit.”
Last year, 25 participants collected old patio furniture, car parts, tires, fence posts and other debris for more than 60 volunteer hours.
Quinton said the most volunteers they’ve had was 80 when the local Brownie group planted trees south of the Oilfields Regional Arena a few years ago. Otherwise, a day with good weather will see around 60 volunteers come out.
Town employees also collect garbage through the spring and summer, Quinton said.
“When we start cutting grass and trimming we are always picking up garbage every week,” he said. “When we are doing our cutting we actually have a five gallon pail on the back of our machine to pick garbage. That way it’s not spread everywhere. There is always stuff to pick up.”
Turner Valley Mayor Kelly Tuck joins the initiative each year to help keep her community clean, and hopes to see many residents do the same this weekend.
“We truly appreciate everyone who can come out, even if it’s for an hour,” she said. “It’s a great way to meet people and get the community involved. I meet people I wouldn’t have under other circumstances.”
Garbage needs to be picked up around the Sheep River Library, between the two towns and along the Sheep River, Tuck said.
“Between the two towns is where we spend a lot of time,” she said. “Last year was really bad. I noticed on the Friendship Trail people are picking up garbage already. It speaks to the pride in their community.”
Registration is at the Scott Seaman Sports Rink in Black Diamond at 9 a.m. Participants can select which areas they want to help clean. Garbage bags will be provided, as well as vests for those collecting garbage along the highway.
A volunteer appreciation barbecue will be held at the outdoor rink in Black Diamond around noon courtesy of the Foothills Lions Club.
Eco-friendly door prizes and displays will also be a part of the morning’s activities. Door prizes include pool passes, a rain barrel and gift certificates from local businesses.
For more information about Project Green Day go to turnervalley.ca
