Regina group cleaning up North Central alley by alley
A small but mighty group of volunteers is working to clean up garbage in North Central Regina, one alley at a time.
Brayan Hill lives in the neighbourhood and has been trying to get the initiative off the ground for quite some time but said the difference maker this year has been garbage bins provided through the City of Regina.
“We’re trying to get something going in the community to get more people out to help and to get the community looking better and safer for those who live in it,” Hill said.
In addition to the bins, they’ve also had donations of tools and gloves. The weekend of April 6, a group of about 13 people were able to get through three alleyways, with the help of a Bobcat.
“We’ve found all sorts of treasures from televisions, couches, dolls, everything,” Hill said, adding that needles are also a consistent sight, a side effect of a lingering addictions crisis. “Some [alleys] look worse than others, but just trying to start at one and move from there.”
About a half dozen people are present at the group’s most recent cleanup on Saturday, ranging from a man who has lived in North Central since 1979 to a teacher who’s new to the city and looking for a way to help out.
The scrapes and shuffles of shovels, rakes, and trash being loaded into bins is a near constant, occasionally broken up by someone who lives nearby stopping to say hi, sometimes lending a hand even if only for a few minutes.
Much of the garbage the group picks up has built up over the winter, but societal issues that can contribute to the problem year-round like homelessness, addiction and poverty will require longer term solutions.
Hill added now that the cleanup initiative is getting off the ground, she’s been getting more messages about alleys that could use some TLC.
“If our slogan is ‘I Love Regina,’ we have to love all parts of it,” Hill said.
The cleanups typically happen weekly. Anyone is welcome to join in. Hill said she eventually hopes to get an “Adopt an Alley” program going in the neighbourhood.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members and honoured her late mother during separate ceremonies Sunday in Victoria as she wrapped up a three-day British Columbia West Coast royal visit.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
As storms moves across Texas, 1 child dies after being swept away in floodwaters
A child in Texas died Sunday after being swept away in floodwaters as storms swept across the state.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.