A number of sports teams partnered up with the Municipality of Lakeshore for a widespread clean up session in honour of Earth Day.
"Our Lakeshore Earth Day Clean Up" was conducted by volunteers and young athletes from Woodslee Baseball, Belle River Soccer, Lakeshore Minor Baseball, and Stoney Point Soccer Club.
The groups divided and conquered to pick up garbage across community baseball diamonds and soccer fields - but they didn't stop there. Young athletes also tidied up public areas at Optimist Park, Millen Park, Centennial Park, Lions Park, Atlas Tube Recreation, Centre, and Stoney Point Community Park.
For finishing touches, the clean up crew added mulch to newly planted trees in the area.
"I am always amazed by the dedication of Lakeshore's community organizations in action. Their invaluable work within our communities is a major factor in making Lakeshore a great place to live and play," Mayor Tracey Bailey said. "On behalf of Council, I would like to extend our sincere appreciation for their contributions, not just on Earth Day, but every day in between as well.”
The Municipality provided gloves, garbage bags, and mulch for the project.
"This was a chance for Lakeshore Baseball to demonstrate how much we care about the parks and spaces that we use every year," said Lakeshore Minor Baseball President Jeff Frey. "It also allowed us to lead by example and show our young people the importance of giving back to the community.”
Lakeshore Minor Baseball players participate in an Earth Day clean up. Photo courtesy of the Municipality of Lakeshore.
Spokespeople from the sports clubs involved in the effort echoed these sentiments, saying an Earth Day clean up is a great opportunity to give back to the community and preserve the outdoor spaces their athletes love to use.
"We hope the event reminds everyone about the incredible amount of work that goes into maintaining fields and parks, as well as the importance of respecting those spaces so everyone can enjoy them," said President of Belle River Soccer Rod Demars.
Belle River Soccer players participate in an Earth Day clean up. Photo courtesy of the Municipality of Lakeshore.
