A Waubaushene community group is inviting residents to come out to help with trail cleanup.
Victoria Réaume, member of the Talpines Property Owners' Association (POA), said a similar activity took place for the first time last year, when about 15 people came together to tidy up the TransCanada Trail that goes through their settlement area.
"We're so privileged to be in this beautiful place during the pandemic where we can access nature," she said. "We have trails and walking paths. So we realized we have to do something to clean up the area once the snow melts."
The idea came to the Talpines POA board members in 2020 while walking the trails.
"We started noticing the garbage in spring and so we decided to do something about it," said Réaume. "We love our community and want to be out and about and don't want to see junk out in nature.
"The large measure of trash we see are plastic water bottles, beer cans, plastic bags and chip bags," she said, adding about a dozen or so bags were collected last year. "We're very discouraged by that."
So they approached the township for support and got it in the form of garbage and recycling bags and arrangements for a pick up spot where the participants could pile up their collections.
"Our councillor Barry Norris and the mayor came by and pitched in which was wonderful," said Réaume.
As with last year, she hopes residents and council members again come out to help out.
Réaume said people are asked to come to 22 Old Cottage Lane, where members of Talpines POA will set up a table to give out bags. Residents are welcome to bring their own bags if they prefer, she added. The cleanup begins next Saturday at 9 a.m. with participants asked to wear a mask and gloves and observe social distancing.
"Then we give them areas to clean up and they go off," she said. "It's an independent activity unless you're with your family group. We are very conscious of COVID and compliance so we don't gather in large groups."
There will be hand sanitizer available, but participants are encouraged to wear gloves and masks.
"We would do that anyway when people are picking up trash," she said. "We tell people to wash their hands and be careful."
There is no registration for the event, Réaume said, noting whoever shows up can participate, even students, who can earn community service hours for doing their part.
"We live in a beautiful area and we want to keep it that way," she said.
For more information on the cleanup and to view the flyer, visit the Talpines POA website.
