Volunteers gather for Earth Day cleanup in Kitchener park

Over the weekend, people gathered at parks and on trails across Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County to pick up litter ahead of Earth Day on Monday. CBC Kitchener-Waterloo was part of the cleanup of Max Becker Common in the neighbourhood of Williamsburg in Kitchener.

'We should respect the earthall day, every day,' one participant says

CBC News Posted: Apr 22, 2024 1:04 PM EDT | Last Updated: April 22

Three people - two adults and a child - walk a dog through a park and carry a red garbage bag. — A family with their dog take part in a park cleanup in Kitchener on Saturday morning. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)

With Earth Day on Monday, hundreds ofpeople gathered at parks and on trails across Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County to pick up litter over the weekend.

That included several volunteers who were at Max Becker Common in the Kitchener neighbourhood of Williamsburg on Saturday morning, braving cooler temperatures and even some snow.

Ella Henry, 9, said she knows it's important to mark Earth Day.

"I feel like our world is being kind of destroyed by all the trash people are dumping and it's a little bit annoying and disrespectful," she said. "We should respect the earthall day, every day."

Eshitia Vanukuru, 10, said it's important people remember to pick up their own trash.

"When Earth Day's happening, we need to keep all our surroundings clean and neat and tidy so that we can keep the earth green and clean," she said.

WATCH|Young people explain why Earth Day is important to them:

Young people explain why Earth Day is important to them

6 months ago

1:53

People gathered in the Kitchener neighbourhood of Williamsburg on Saturday for an Earth Day cleanup at Max Becker Common. CBC K-W was there, too, and asked young people taking part in the cleanup for their thoughts about Earth Day.

CBC Kitchener-Waterloo was part of that event and highlighted some of the recent coverage of the neighbourhood during the event.

Crowd of people stand near red tent that says — People gather at the CBC K-W tent where they were able to record their name for the radio or take part in a children's Earth Day activity. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)

Young woman points to a map while talking with a man — CBC K-W reporter Carmen Groleau, centre, talks about her recent work in covering the Williamsburg neighbourhood in Kitchener. The Communities in Focus initiative aims to build and deepen relationships by highlighting new and unheard voices. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)

A woman and some children speak to another woman under a tent — People stopped by the CBC K-W tent to say hi and meet some of the team. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)

Two little kids hug — Two young friends greet each other during the Earth Day cleanup event at Max Becker Common in the Williamsburg neighbourhood of Kitchener Saturday morning. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)

Frank Prospero, president of the Williamsburg Community Association, said the event was a great way to bring neighbours together.

"Winter is done and we're starting to see what winter left behind and it's just a good opportunity this time of year to get out and meet your neighbours," he said.

"I think the spring cleanups are a great opportunity to say, 'Hey, I haven't seen that neighbour in a while. I haven't seen so and so in a while or where do you live?' Maybe we could do a little bit more in our community, learn a little bit more about some of the great things going on."

Read more of CBC K-W's coverage of the Williamsburg neighbourhood:

Williamsburg
Meet some of Williamsburg businesses who say they feel a sense of belonging, family in their community

WILLIAMSBURG
Project looks to map Indigenous history in Kitchener's Williamsburg neighbourhood

Photos
Take a photo journey through the community of Williamsburg

Williamsburg
Religious shop considers expanding to keep up with Williamsburg's growing South Asian community

Development and new neighbours 'a blessing' for church in Kitchener's Williamsburg neighbourhood

Piecing together the history of Kitchener's Williamsburg neighbourhood

Fast-growing Williamsburg in Kitchener is a haven of cultural foods: Andrew Coppolino

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