Winnipeg’s spring clean-up plan starts downtown

Spring in Winnipeg doesn’t just mean warmer weather; it also means uncovering everything the snow was hiding.

A new litter index is showing just how much work there is to do, as the city kicks off its spring clean-up plan.

Starting Sunday, Winnipeg’s annual spring clean-up begins, with crews set to spend the next six weeks sweeping streets, clearing sidewalks and pathways, and picking up debris in parks and public spaces across the city.

“We see more residents living in the downtown, more construction projects of residential development happening in the downtown than really ever before in Winnipeg’s history,” said Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham. “Downtown communities are a gathering place for so many of our key activities that are going to start and festivals that start in the spring and summer.

“So, we’re starting the downtown, but certainly the clean-up will extend to all parts of the city of Winnipeg.”

The clean-up comes as Take Pride Winnipeg’s annual litter index suggests the city has a little more work ahead this spring. The organization ranks neighbourhoods on a scale of one to 10, with one meaning little to no litter and 10 meaning the worst of it.

This year, north central scored the highest at 6.88, followed by the West End at 6.07. Fort Garry and Linden Woods came in as the cleanest area surveyed, at 4.83.

“Yes, city crews will be there, but we don’t have enough crews to get to every sidewalk and every property and every business front, you know, in one or two days,” Gillingham said. “But if everybody does their part in partnership, our city will look a lot cleaner, a lot more beautiful, a lot quicker.”

Golden Fries owner Darrly Leiman says more needs to be done, especially when it comes to garbage cans.

“Downtown needs a lot of work and it’s nice to start with the park here, clean it up and start bringing people downtown to the park so you can sit at the tables, clean the tables, clean the sidewalks and make it presentable so the businesspeople can come down and sit,” Leiman said.

“The garbage is always full and then that’s why there’s garbage thrown around on the sidewalks. Every day I’m cleaning up stuff off from the garbage cans thrown out. Keep emptying and then there’ll be less and less garbage on the street.”

The city is asking residents to check its website or the Know Your Zone app for street cleaning schedules, watch for temporary no parking signs, and avoid raking debris onto roadways or into gutters.