Saskatchewan

Big Canada Day cleanup in Regina at Wascana Park

Garbage was everywhere in Regina's Wascana Park the morning after Canada Day, and crews were busy cleaning up Thursday.

Cleanup crews left to pick up food wrappers, other other garbage strewn around Wascana Park

Lots of garbage was seen this morning in Regina's Wascana Park, where Canada Day celebrations were held yesterday. (Adrian Cheung/CBC)

Garbage was everywhere in Regina's Wascana Park the morning after Canada Day.

Maintenance crews were out Thursday morning cleaning up garbage left during the Canada Day festivities in Wascana Park. (CBC)
Thousands turned out for the festivities on Wednesday, including the traditional fireworks, but they left food wrappers, drink cups, abandoned flip-flops and overturned garbage bins in their wake.

It was a mess at 6 a.m., but cleanup crews arrived later in the morning to deal with the aftermath. 

'It's ridiculous,' says concession stand owner

Jim Baiton, who owns concession stands in Wascana Park, says he is tired of seeing the leftover heaps of garbage the day after Canada Day year after year. (CBC)
Jim Baiton runs some of the concession stands in the park. 

"We don't realize how beautiful this park is. Unfortunately people don't respect it by throwing litter and garbage," said Baiton.

"There's garbage all over the place... It's ridiculous actually."

He said he sees the mess every year and thinks the city should create a campaign to remind people to clean up after themselves.

"If you go to a grocery store and you buy something, you don't throw it on the ground after. It's the same idea. We have the responsibility to make sure they're aware of it."

He said next year he will host a barbecue for everyone who comes out to clean up the park.
    
"We got to promote keeping the park clean. Not just Canada Day, every day," said Baiton.

What a mess! Food wrappers and other garbage covered the grass at Wascana Park near the Legislative Building on Thursday morning. (Adrian Cheung/CBC)
Canada Day crowds are gone, but the geese have moved in at the trash-strewn lawns of Wascana Park, close to Albert Street. (Adrian Cheung/CBC)