Metrolinx’s Community Engagement team came together with the community to help tidy up, just in time for Earth Day. 

Cleanup efforts took place at parks across the region from Hamilton to Oshawa, and many in between. 

That includes Port Union Village Common near Rouge Hill GO Station, where a dedicated team of 18 Metrolinx employees collected a total of 23 bags of garbage! 

But it wasn’t just staff rolling up their sleeves. Members of the community, and some of Metrolinx's construction partners also came out to lend a hand for mother nature. 

Along the West Toronto Railpath, around 40 people were on site to help tidy the northern section of the Toronto trail between Bloor and Dupont Streets.  

Altogether, they collected an impressive 10 bags of garbage and helped bring the community together to care for their surrounding greenspace.  

The West Toronto Railpath area is part of the largest transit expansion in Canadian history, with a new fourth Track on the Kitchener GO Line planned next to the trail. 

This will allow 15 minute (or better!) service to and from Bramalea, along with other beautifying work including a new community park with a multi-use trail, seating and gardens to enhance local ecology.  

Earth Day cleanups 

Other cleanup locations include R.V. Burgess Park, Liberty Village Park and Moss Park – all sites along the future Ontario Line subway project. 

We also partnered with the city of Richmond Hill in York-Simcoe and were assisted by plenty of little helpers across Durham region, including students from Willow Walk Public School. 

With so many bags of trash collected, there’s bound to be a few treasures among the mess, if the old saying is to be believed. While treasure may be a subjective term, there were certainly some standout finds amidst the rubbish, including a hedgehog plushie, a parking ticket, an entire nightstand unit and even a drone! Check out some of the peculiar finds below:

These combined efforts foster a positive relationship between residents and Metrolinx, and furthers our commitment to connect communities in a sustainable, ecological way for generations to come.