Press Release - Banned From Parks

Campbell River, BC (Canada) – Adopt-a-Block, a volunteer group with a mission to remove trash from the sidewalks and boulevards of Campbell River and surrounding districts has been banned from city parks.

"I am going to have to ask your group not to pick up litter or perform any other work on our parks sites due to labour relations and liability issues, " wrote Ross Milnthorp, General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture, in an email to Susan Black the initiator of the humble bunch.

“Our single purpose is to clean the city and present ‘her’ as a beautiful place to observe, smell, listen to and feel,” according to Susan. “The volunteers walk the city willingly, some for long distances, retrieving trash that others have left behind. We are sorry to have been excluded from the parks, which are sometimes on our route. The next time you see trash in the park, leave it be, apparently it’s the property of Parks, Recreation and Culture.”

Adopt-a-Block is registered with Clean Up the World, an organization sanctioned by the United Nations. http://www.cleanuptheworld.org

“We intend to develop a ‘Volunteers in Parks’ program as soon as resources allow and we believe that this program will address the issues above and also provide volunteer opportunities, which generate civic pride in our parks system,” wrote Ross Milnthorp.

Susan can be reached at cleanlivingcr@gmail.com, Ross Milnthorp can be reached at ross.milnthorp@campbellriver.ca

Adopt-a-Block Campbell River is registered with this United Nations sanctioned organization

BFI To The Rescue

Courtesy of Progressive Waste Solutions

I heard the familiar thunder of the massive trash dumpster being lifted from its position across the alley from my home.

“They’re replacing the dumpster,” my husband said.

“Oh, really! I'll get the camera,” I said.

I rushed to the balcony of our home to photograph the removal of the massive graffiti-covered waste container. I had called BFI Canada and explained the horrible vandalism scribbled on their property. The nice women on the phone put me through to the man who could solve the problem. Today, I look out at a graffiti-free dumpster. What a pleasure.

If you see graffiti smeared on your adopted block call the company associated with the surface and ask to have it removed. It’s our right to have a clean city.

We realize that what we are accomplishing is a drop in the ocean. But if this drop were not in the ocean, it would be missed. ~ Mother Theresa

Clean Dumper Surface

Mystery Man Sited

Mystery Man

This is not Doug A. with a haircut.

This mystery man, who removes the trash from the Tyee Spit daily has yet to be identified. If you see the anonymous chap cleaning the area, say hello and ask his name.

Tyee Spit Adopted

Doug A. at your service

 Doug A., a dedicated Adopt-a-Block volunteer who already removes rubbish from the sidewalks and boulevards of South Murphy Street and the small plot of land located at the South Alder Street intersection, has taken on the Tyee Spit as a daily destination for himself and his two dogs. He brings his garbage tongs and a bag or two to collect the trash strewn about by those who have a disposable outlook on their environment.

Tyee Spit is a long, flat, narrow piece of land that sticks out into the Strait of Georgia. You can drive, hike or bike to it by turning east on Island Highway onto Spit Road. Once there, take your time to absorb the spectacular scenery, pleasant smells, and impressive sounds. Bring your own bag and trash picker to help out a real-world fellow. 

Love the world as you love yourself. Lao Tze

Tyee Spit Campbell River

Friends, Fresh and Fireside

Roadside view

 On Sunday, April 29, friends gathered at Ellis Park in Campbell River to make fresh the grounds along the highway, in the parking lot, along the paved walkway and on the rocky beach. Volunteers dawned rubber gloves and while some bent down to retrieve the rubbish and toss it into a bag, others held garbage tongs in one hand, a bucket in the other and picked quickly and accurately at the litter left behind by those who find their world quite disposable. A third troop of volunteers tromped their way through the driftwood on our city’s spectacular shoreline and found a secure place to set up a fire.

When we finished cleaning up, we gathered at the fireside and shared stories of our biggest garbage find and talked about how good it felt to contribute to the well-being of our community. We feasted on hotdogs cooked over the fire; fruits, cookies and chips were shared along with laughter and a brilliant sensation of camaraderie and purpose.

Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth. ~ Muhammad Ali

Service is refreshing

Fireside friends

Adopt-a-Block

It Takes a Village

Ditch Pickers

Stepping down into a ditch to remove trash from sunken boulevards is the trait of champions of the Adopt-a-Block volunteer crew. Retrieving rubbish tossed carelessly from the deep pockets of a trench sometimes takes a bit of fancy footwork and weird body contortions to reach out for the garbage and toss it into a bag.

A dedicate couple has taken up ditch picking along their property line on the corner of Peterson Road and Evergreen Road. There are no sidewalks on their trek but there is a great deal of discarded junk. Armed with garbage tongs, work gloves and trash bags, the troopers brighten up the area for your hiking, walking and driving enjoyment.

When you come upon the hard-working Adopt-a-Block volunteers show them your gratitude.

Adopt-a-Block

It Takes a Village

Corner of Peterson and Evergreen

Similar view from corner of Peterson and Evergreen

Trekking Homewood Road

Congratulations to Lorraine and Lyle H. who have graciously adopted a two kilometre round trip trek from the intersection of Homewood Road, Maple Street and Elk River Timber Road to the intersection of Homewood Road, Ironwood Road and the other Maple Street.

Lyle and Lorraine's Route

The enthusiastic couple will remove the trash from the sidewalks and boulevards and haul the rubbish home. Because there are no garbage receptacles anywhere along their route, the City of Campbell River authorities will accept their garbage at Dogwood Operations located at 385A South Dogwood Street (250) 286-4033.

When you see our new volunteers tending to the properties along their route, wave or say hello. We’re happy to be of service.

Adopt-a-Block

It Takes a Village