Whatever happened to having pride in your community?
This spring, a number of residents called. They were upset by the messy state of our public spaces, from roads to boulevards and parks around the neighbourhood. They complained that there is litter everywhere they walk. They expressed their concern.
The people who are calling about this problem do care. I would guess that they are not dropping waste on the ground as they walk. In fact, I know that some of our veteran walkers actually pick up litter as they come across it.
So what is this phenomenon and what can we do about it?
At least one explanation for why it is so easy to not notice this unsightly mess is that we live in such a car-oriented environment. Although there are dedicated walkers in the area, most people just get in their cars and drive to wherever they are going. It’s really hard to see the tossed water bottle on the boulevard at 60 or 70 kilometres per hour!
As well, there is an accumulation of litter that takes place during the winter months. In response to this annual occurrence, Vaughan, as well as many other GTA municipalities, hold a 20-Minute Makeover in April, when literally thousands of residents help clean up their neighbourhoods. This year it was on April 17. The City of Vaughan also sends out street-cleaning trucks in April. In the end, though, it is about taking pride in where you live by doing the small things that make a great community: putting your waste in a receptacle, picking up litter when you can and making sure your kids know that they have a responsibility to the other people living in the neighbourhood.