Public spaces and environmental programs

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Adopt-a-Park/Adopt-a-Road

Adopt-a-Park and Adopt-a-Road is a city-wide program that encourages individuals, families, neighbours, community groups, and businesses to take an active role in helping maintain a beautiful city.

Volunteers take on park or roadway cleanup projects to improve safety and promote a healthy natural environment by keeping the City clean, green, and free of litter.

Adopt volunteers make a commitment to cleaning up a park or roadway (1 km or greater):

  • A minimum of twice a year - once in the spring and once in the fall.
  • For a period of two or five years to provide continuity.

Adopt participants are encouraged to perform the following activities:  

  • Pick up litter/debris
  • Sweep sidewalks and pathways
  • Pull minor weeds
  • Report vandalism on public or private property

To acknowledge these important efforts, a sign presenting the name of the adopting individual or group is displayed on the park or roadway throughout the adoption period.  Please note:  Adopt-a-Park/Adopt-a-Road signs are installed during the spring and summer season.

Paint It Up!

Paint It Up! is a youth engagement program funded by Public Works and administered by Community and Social Services (CSS). It promotes the use of outdoor murals to:

  • support local arts and culture;
  • enhance the city’s beauty for residents and visitors; and
  • engage youth in positive skill-building experiences.

Annual funding is available through Community Safety and Well-Being, Policy, and Analytics within CSS for local organizations wanting to hire youth to create murals in neighbourhoods experiencing a high rate of tagging and vandalism.

Paint it Up! map of mural locations and pictures