Earth Day is about caring for the places we share. So, it’s fitting we’re spending it cleaning up our city. Our spring cleanup operations are well underway all around Winnipeg.
In the Downtown, we’re in the middle of a beautification blitz. We know our summers can feel short, that’s why several of our crews are working to make the area warm weather ready for everyone to enjoy.
“We have several crews out cleaning up what winter left behind so Downtown looks its best as quick as possible” said Michael Cantor, Manager of Streets Maintenance. “By taking a proactive approach, we’re working to address issues early so residents don’t have to contact 311.”
Sprucing up the area
Four crews are working their way through the area from the Assiniboine River north through the Exchange and from Memorial Boulevard/Balmoral Street east to the Red River.
They’re focusing on four main tasks:
- Cleaning graffiti in partnership with the Downtown and Exchange Business Improvement Zones
- Replacing broken, damaged, or faded signs
- Pressure-washing park equipment
- Hand-sweeping and cleaning debris
“We spread sand on streets and sidewalks for safety in the winter and there’s no way around that,” said Michael Cantor, Manager of Streets Maintenance. “That all gets left behind when the snow melts, so we’re out there cleaning the mess that we make.”
It’s not just sand. Takeout containers, cigarette butts, needles, and more debris hidden under the snow are also being picked up by our crews.
The targeted work started mid-April. If the weather co-operates, it’s expected to take around three weeks.
“We can’t wait for Winnipeggers and visitors alike to be out enjoying the warm weather and a refreshed Downtown,” Cantor said.
It takes a team
To pull this off, we’ve pulled together people with several different skills.
The to-do list is being tackled by staff from our parks, traffic services, and graffiti removal as well as the Neighbourhood Action Teams. You’ll easily be able to spot the Neighbourhood Action Team members. They’re the ones in bright green shirts and hats. On any given day, there are around 20 of them doing the Downtown work.
The work doesn’t stop Downtown
Once the Neighbourhood Action Teams finish in the Downtown, they’ll head into other areas of the city.
Now heading into their second year, the teams are made up of employees with experience in streets maintenance, forestry, and landscaping. Their diverse skill set meant they can quickly move through an area filling potholes, repairing sidewalks, and trimming hazardous tree branches at the same time.
They spend a few weeks in each ward addressing areas of concern. Work locations are selected based on 311 data, what our crews notice, and insight from area councillors. It’s expected that work will begin mid-May.
If you spot them in your area, feel free to say hi.
Meanwhile, you can track our progress on the city-wide spring cleanup operation using our interactive status map. By the end of May, our entire street network, including roadways, bridges, sidewalks, pathways, and alleys, will be cleaned.