E A R T H D A Y : Hundreds give Town a fresh look

E A R T H D A Y

Grade 7 Stewarttown School students Elyssa Strachan (left) and Stephanie Leben, helped HOPE (Healthy Options for People and the Environment) members and some Wal-Mart employees do a spring clean up around the Sargent Road Native Boulevard Garden Friday during the Town's 20-Minute Makeover. Photo by Amber Richmond

Becky Kaye gives Stan Slater a hand removing an office chair from Fairy Lake in Acton during Saturday's Clean Up Day. Photo by Jon Borgstrom

Hundreds give Town a fresh look

LISA TALLYN Staff Writer Halton Hills is a little cleaner today than it was last week thanks to the efforts of hundreds of area residents who took part in Earth Day clean up activities Friday and Saturday. "It's overwhelming, it's incredible," said Town of Halton Hills Senior Public Works Supervisor Dick Spear of the amount of trash collected by residents of the town. Spear didn't have a final tally yet on the amount collected as four works crews had been out Monday, Tuesday, and likely still today (Wednesday) picking up the items. But he said Monday's haul included 4,000 lbs. of scrap metal, two tandem loads of wood, 4.5 tons of garbage and three tandem loads of tires. The items had been collected all over Halton Hills by volunteers intent on cleaning up their town. Clean ups were done at various locations. Several stretches of roadside were also made litter-free including portions of Eastern Ave., Main St. S., Queen St., 15 Sideroad, Winston Churchill Blvd. and Maple Ave. "I think it's the best clean up that we've had," said Jane Fogal, chair of the Litter Free Task Force. She said all but one school in Halton Hills took part in the 20-Minute Makeover Friday. A total of 24 schools participated, up seven from the previous year. Fogal called the clean up efforts both on Friday and during the Seventh Annual Clean Up Day Saturday "really awesome." "There were way more people out there than were registered," said Fogal. Piles of stuffed garbage bags were scattered along roadsides and at park entrances for pickup by Town employees. Fogal said she hopes when residents are out they notice the difference made by the clean up and "feel some gratitude for the people" who gave up part of a beautiful weekend to beautify their town. She said the hard part continues to be trying to change those people who litter. Despite the great efforts of all involved, Fogal said there are still quite a few areas in town that were missed in the clean up. "Hungry Hollow needs a lot of work," said Fogal, adding several rural roads were also missed. "I would still encourage people there's still time (to clean up)," said Fogal. (Lisa Tallyn can be reached at ltallyn@independentfreepress.com)

Leanna De Vaan donned hip waders to help fellow St. Alban the Martyr Anglican Church members clean up Bovis and Wallace Parks Saturday. Photo by Arnie De Vaan

Barbara Perlin, Town CAO Dennis Perlin and Wards 3&4 Regional Councillor and Litter Free Task Force chair Jane Fogal collected trash at Dominion Gardens Park. Photo by Jon Borgstrom

Jennifer Morris helped organized a clean up of the Rachlin Dr. area in Acton Saturday. Even a kitchen sink was found. Submitted photo

Georgetown High School students accepted a challenge from Christ the King to take part in the 20-Minute Makeover. Showing off their haul of trash are, from left, Katie Godfrey, Marja DeBoer and Staci Carvalho. Submitted photo