The Oakville Community Centre For Peace, Ecology and Human Rights

Oakville Community Centre for Peace, Ecology and Human Rights (OCCPEHR)
P.O. Box 52007, Oakville, ON L6J 7N5
(905) 849-5501, info@oakvillepeacecentre.org, oakvillepeacecentre.org

We asked Site Coordinators to respond to two questions and here are their replies, Ward by Ward.
The first question asked them was why they are so involved in the Clean Up.
The second question wanted to know what they have learned about their community while being a Site Coordinator.
Let’s read their responses to the questions, Ward by Ward.

WARD ONE
“I am involved in the Earth Day Clean Up as a Site Coordinator because:
~ I care deeply about environmental stewardship and cleaning up my community!
(Rishona Vemulapalli, Donovan Bailey Park)
~ I care about the planet and litter is my pet peeve!
(Emillie Kraft, Riocan Creek)
~ I care about the environment and want to leave the earth in a better place for my kids!
(Mahsa Yazdani, Westbrook Park)
~ I care about the environment and nature and raising awareness about climate change!
(Colton Smith, Westbrook Park)
~ I value the green space access in Oakville and use it on a daily basis!
(Sue Dane, Valleyridge Park)
~ I think Earth Day is a wonderful day to reflect upon the wonders of nature and the healing that being outdoors brings! And last year, I met a bunch of cool, caring, committed neighbours!
(Judy Gast, Valleyridge Park)

WARD TWO
“I am involved in the Earth Day Clean Up as a Site Coordinator because:
~ I am carrying on a legacy for a dear friend who was very involved in the area!
(Cathy Buchanan, Aldercrest Park and Taplow Creek)
~ Local action creates real impacts and the Clean Up shows the power accomplished by many together volunteering in Oakville to make a big difference!
(Seema Nambiar, Coronation Park)
~ I want to protect my planet as it is the only place to live!
(Monisha, Coronation Park)
~ Because my group was looking to do more community outreach and this activity was my idea!
(Sue Kronenfeld, Glen Oak Creek Trail South)
~ I have been going for as many years as my parents have been Site Coordinators at this location and now I am taking it over!
(Dave Weise, Hopedale Park)
~ I have been doing this for decades as part of the South Peel Naturalists Club’s community work and mandate! And personally because if I don’t do it, no one will!
(Donna Sheppard, Indian Ridge Trail)
~ I love nature and enjoy the connection between our Catholic Scouts group and taking care of creation!
(David Kantor, Nottinghill Park)
~ I believe we need to model deep care and stewardship of the land for our children; we heal in community and so does the Earth!
(Kalli MacKeen, Old Abbeywood Park)
~ I care about my neighbours including the people, animals and plants that call it home!
(Joe Williams, West River for Forster and Hogs Back Parks)
~ I love being in nature with friends and family as well as cleaning up our natural environment!
(Tracey Ehl, Woodhaven and Sedgewick Parks)

WARD THREE
“I am involved in the Earth Day Clean Up as a Site Coordinator because:
~ I am proud of what Charterability does on the dock for the people of Oakville and having it look clean is important!
(Linda Kennedy, Busby Park)
~ I want to make Oakville a better place!
(Steve Firth, Busby Park)
~ I love this planet which can heal us if we let it breathe! This land is your land, this land is my land, let’s protect it forever!
(Monica Malhotra, Cornwall Road at Perkins Passage)
~ I think that this Clean Up of Oakville nature sites is a worthy cause!
(Rick Little, Dunvegan and Ardleigh Parks)
~ It’s a great community event that also keeps our community beautiful!
(David Bird, Gairloch Gardens)
~ I care deeply about my community and the spaces we share to learn and play!
(Preeya Nayee, Lakeside Park and Oakville Museum)
~ I believe in the education and promotion of our being stewards of our community!
(Martin Wigle, Linbrook School)
~ I believe a clean, litter-free community is a healthier community!
(Elizabeth Chalmers, Maple Grove Park and Joshua Valley Park)
~ I believe a tidy neighbourhood encourages and creates civic pride thereby establishing a virtuous circle!
(Douglas McKirgan, Wallace Park and George’s Square)

WARD FOUR
“I am involved in the Earth Day Clean Up as a Site Coordinator because:
~ I love this activity!
(Stephen Wei, Bloomfield Park)
~ I wish to keep my home beautiful and clean! The earth provides us with so many things that it’s only right to show her some love!
(Yiding Liu, Heritage Way Park)
~ I am deeply connected to the beauty, peace and expansiveness of the trails in our city! I wish to give back by keeping the trails clean!
(Valerie Ojha, Sixteen Mile Creek Trails at Rotherglen School)

WARD FIVE
“I am involved in the Earth Day Clean Up as a Site Coordinator because:
~ I love the green earth!
(Gita Zoghi, Memorial Park on Hays Boulevard)
~ I love the Earth and want it to be a clean and beautiful place!
(Joanna Hamara, Neyagawa Park)
~ I want to become involved in a hands-on event dedicated to restoring the beauty and health of our local nature sites! Let’s come together and show Oakville how much we care – one piece of litter at a time!
(Swati Ettrick, Oxford Park)

WARD SIX
“I am involved in the Earth Day Clean Up as a Site Coordinator because:
~ The Earth Day Clean Up volunteers clean up our community in a way that could never be duplicated! And it saves the Town thousands of dollars every year!
(Councillor and Regional Councillor Tom Adams, Algrove Park)
~ Many helping hands make a huge difference!
(Pauline Gyorkos, Valleybrook Park)
~ I love seeing Oakville clean for us and for the wildlife with which we share this land!
(Karla Cabrera, Valleybrook Park)

WARD SEVEN
“I am involved in the Earth Day Clean Up as a Site Coordinator because:
~ I believe that every small change begins with us!
(Mamta Rosha, Isaac Park)
~ I care about our parks and we want clean parks for our family! Community stewardship is integral to our faith!
(Daniyal Kashif, Lions Valley Park)
~ I believe in volunteering and community service!
(Arpit Mittal, Palermo Park)

And now, let’s read their responses to the second question, Ward by Ward:

WARD ONE
“I have learned a lot about my community while being a Site Coordinator including that:
~ It is important to help your Town out by cleaning up! It is also important to inspire people to clean up!
(Colton Smith, Westbrook Park)
~ Instilling conservation in children early fosters children who are environmentally aware in teen and adult years, creating custodians of nature in the future!
(Sue Dane, Valleyridge Park)
~ People care and want to teach their children to care about the earth!
(Judy Gast, Valleyridge Park)

WARD TWO
“I have learned a lot about my community while being a Site Coordinator including that:
~ Lots of people care about our mother earth and community earth day volunteering!
(Seema Nambiar, Coronation Park)
~ Keeping the environment clean is everyone’s responsibility! When we as a team clean up and pick up litter we come to know the impact of waste on the environment!
(Monisha, Coronation Park)
~ Sometimes people really feel tied to the particular town and area where they live!
(Sue Kronenfeld, Glen Oak Creek Trail South)
~ Based on the wide range of ages of our volunteers, it is evident that taking care of the beautiful nature of our Town is close to the hearts of people of all ages!
(David Kantor, Nottinghill Park)
~ Everyone wants to be a helper! Kids and families just need the opportunities and tools to show up in ways that work for them!
(Kalli MacKeen, Old Abbeywood Park)
~ If we don’t address litter and pollution on an on-going basis, we will have a problem that grows and grows!
(Joe Williams, West River for Forster and Hogs Back Parks)
~ Over the years, people have become more conscious about the environment and more people pitch-in on a day to day basis making our one-a-year clean up light!
(Tracey Ehl, Woodhaven and Sedgewick Parks)

WARD THREE
“I have learned a lot about my community while being a Site Coordinator including that:
~ I have learned that people are always willing to help out those in need! It is so heartwarming!
(Linda Kennedy, Busby Park)
~ People are willing to help if asked to assist a good cause!
(Steve Firth, Busby Park)
~ When we are given a purpose, everyone steps up! Also, there is a real love for our town amongst our community and we all want to keep it beautiful! Sometimes people just need a leader to direct and then the team assembles!
(Monica Malhotra, Cornwall Road at Perkins Passage)
~ People really care about our town!
(David Bird, Gairloch Gardens)
~ Collaborating with the community is key to making community, building relationships and moving forward with our common goals!
(Preeya Nayee, Lakeside Park and Oakville Museum)
~ We all have a role to play in taking care of the environment!
(Martin Wigle, Linbrook School)
~ Residents want to contribute to bettering the community in which they live!
(Elizabeth Chalmers, Maple Grove Park and Joshua Valley Park)

WARD FOUR
“I have learned a lot about my community while being a Site Coordinator including that:
~ Everyone loves this town and community and are more than willing to help out and keep it beautiful given the opportunity to!
(Yiding Liu, Heritage Way Park)

WARD FIVE
“I have learned a lot about my community while being a Site Coordinator including that:
~ Lots of young people love to help!
(Gita Zoghi, Memorial Park on Hays Boulevard)
~ People who come to the Clean Up love nature!
(Joanna Hamara, Neyagawa Park)
~ This is more than a clean-up; It’s a chance to connect with neighbours, enjoy fresh spring air and protect the natural spaces that make Oakville special!
(Swati Ettrick, Oxford Park)
~ Unfortunately, people will always continue to litter, sadly!
(Stephane Dagenais, Sheridan College and Treetop Estates)

WARD SIX
“I have learned a lot about my community while being a Site Coordinator including that:
~ There are a lot of good people who care for the environment!
(Karla Cabrera, Valleybrook Park)

WARD SEVEN
“I have learned a lot about my community while being a Site Coordinator including that:
~ Our community takes Earth Day seriously and make a strong participation effort!
(Daniel Kashif, Lions Valley Park)
~ I never knew about the garbage that people dump and was surprised. How can they do this? Maybe Halton Waste should not charge people when they come to dispose waste at the dump site in Milton!
(Arpit Mittal, Palermo Park)
~ The event brings people together and encourages a shared sense of responsibility for our community spaces, inspiring positive habits such as recycling, reducing waste and avoiding littering!
(Mukhnaam Kaur, Preserve Woods Park)

Thanks again Earth Day Clean Up Site Coordinators for pitching-in for the 35th annual Earth Day Clean Up of Oakville Nature Sites!

Stephen Dankowich, Executive Director, for the Oakville Community Centre for Peace, Ecology and Human Rights

35th annual Earth Day Clean Up set for Saturday, April 18, 2026 

The 35th annual Earth Day Clean Up of Oakville Nature Sites is organized by the:

Oakville Community Centre for Peace, Ecology and Human Rights,
P.O. Box 52007, Oakville, ON L6J 7N5, (905) 849-5501,
info@oakvillepeacecentre.org, www.oakvillepeacecentre.org

PITCH-IN FOR A CLEAN, GREEN, LITTER-FREE OAKVILLE ON SATURDAY APRIL 18, 2026

“The 35th annual Earth Day Clean Up of Oakville Nature Sites will take place on Saturday, April 18 from 9 to 11 am at seventy or more nature sites now scheduled for cleaning up,” remarked Stephen Dankowich, Executive Director of the Oakville Community Centre for Peace, Ecology and Human Rights (OCCPEHR).

“Site Coordinators will be assisting and directing Oakville citizens and students at each Clean Up site. Garbage bags, disposable gloves and hand sanitizer will be distributed by the Site Coordinators. Bring your own sturdier work gloves and pick up sticks. Students receive community service hours. By noon on April 18th, waste will have been removed from our beautiful parks, trails, ravines, woodlots, waterways and lakefront in an amazing concerted community-wide effort to create and sustain a clean, green, litter-free Oakville,” he exclaimed.

This event is the most widely attended environmental initiative in Oakville each year. In 2025, there were 1500 Clean Up volunteers.

“This annual event is our way of celebrating Earth Day. We look forward to receiving confirmation of your participation,” he added.

Please send an email to info@oakvillepeacecentre.org to register as a volunteer. For more information, please phone (905) 849-5501.

The Theme for the 35th annual event encourages everyone to “Pitch-in for a Clean, Green, Litter-free Oakville.” 

The Town of Oakville’s Parks and Open Space Department, Halton Region Waste Management and Film.ca Cinemas are the major sponsors of the Clean Up together with several local businesses, many Resident Associations, faith organizations and other not-for-profit community groups. Visit the website to view the full list of past and current sponsors.

Happy Earth Day, Oakville!

The 34th annual Earth Day Clean Up on Saturday, April 26, 2025 was organized by the:
Oakville Community Centre for Peace, Ecology and Human Rights,
P.O. Box 52007, Oakville, ON L6J 7N5
(905) 849-5501, info@oakvillepeacecentre.org, oakvillepeacecentre.org

Final Report and Media Release for the 2025 Earth Day Clean Up

1,477 Volunteers Pitch-in at Record Seventy-Two Nature Sites:
Earth Day Clean Up in Oakville another Big Success!

The annual Earth Day Clean Up continues to grow year after year in Oakville as more and more people and organizations participate in this wildly successful grassroots environmental initiative.

Since 2020, the Theme for this community-wide event has declared that we are “For a clean, green, litter-free Oakville” and in the aftermath of the 2025 Earth Day Clean Up, Oakville is in fact “cleaner, greener and more litter-free!”

When thirty volunteers with the Oakville Community Centre for Peace, Ecology and Human Rights cleaned up greenspaces along the Twelve Mile Creek under the overpass at Bronte Road and the QEW thirty-four years ago in 1992, little did they know that the campaign would expand to a record seventy-two nature sites in 2025.

As more and more individuals and other community groups took responsibility and ownership for staffing a Clean Up site at a park, trail, ravine, woodlot and lakefront, the campaign grew in size, scope and accomplishments.

At each of the 72 nature sites on April 26th, an Earth Day Clean Up Site Coordinator welcomed the volunteers, handed out bags and gloves and directed them as to where to pitch-in. Site Coordinators reported that volunteers were incredibly enthusiastic and meticulous in their pursuit of picking up garbage. In 2025, there was a total of ninety-three people acting as Site Coordinators.

Site Coordinators also reported that Oakville’s beautiful nature sites were much cleaner compared to previous years and that there was a substantial reduction in the amount of garbage collected and fewer large pieces of trash removed by volunteers from Oakville green spaces at the 2025 Clean Up.

April is the clean up month while May is the growing month.

As noted by the organizers, having an Earth Day Clean Up event in late April is especially timely for those of us living in Carolinian Canada as we do in Oakville. The garbage is more visible for picking up before everything in nature starts really sprouting up. Less harm is done to plants just beginning to emerge again in the spring by volunteers stomping around while pitching-in.

Participants expressed appreciation for the event being organized and pledged to join future Clean Ups as well.

The No Littering Campaign is Growing in Oakville

There are many different constituencies contributing to a more litter-free Oakville.

The ninety-two Site Coordinators registered with the Oakville Community Centre for Peace, Ecology and Human Rights, some schools, municipal and provincial government, Parks Ambassadors, Oakville Town Parks and Open Space Department staff, dog walkers and trail walkers disgusted by strewn garbage, civic minded citizens and many others are now all together contributing to raising awareness about littering and are maintaining the cleanliness of Oakville’s green spaces year round.

Congratulations, Oakville!

Town Sponsorship of Event

At the annual Planning Meeting for Site Coordinators held this past April 2nd at Town Hall, Councillor and Regional Councillor Tom Adams thanked the campaign for organizing an important environmental activity which he said the Town itself could not possibly replicate and which saves the Town considerable expense every year.

And in a letter distributed to all Site Coordinators and addressed to all Earth Day Clean Up volunteers, Mayor Rob Burton stated that “the growing number of sites and increased community involvement show a deepening commitment to environmental stewardship in our community.”

Councillors Tom Adams, Nav Nanda and Scott Xie also participated as Site Coordinators. Councillors Dave Gittings and Janet Haslett-Theall visited many of the sites being cleaned up in Ward Three.

Earth Day Clean Up Attracts Major Sponsors

This year’s Clean Up was sponsored primarily by Oakville’s Parks and Open Space Department which provided a grant, bags, disposable gloves and hand sanitizers for all sites. Fifteen highly visible mobile signs publicizing the event also were stationed throughout the community for a full two weeks leading up to the event by Parks.

Halton Region Waste Management paid for a Miller Waste Systems garbage truck and two employees to pick up all of the collected trash.

Clean Up volunteers will be enjoying a free small box of popcorn from Film.ca Cinemas on Speers Road; All volunteers received a coupon attached to a thank you mini-letter from the organizers.

Panago Pizza on Neyagawa Boulevard baked fifty large pies for volunteers to enjoy at seventeen various sites in north Oakville. Thanks are extended to owners Ketan and Payal Patel.

Oakville Starbucks coffeeshops donated a coffee Traveller enjoyed by Site Coordinators and some participants at forty-five various Clean Up sites. Thanks are extended to Skyler Skerry, manager of the Starbucks at Dundas Street East and Prince Michael Drive, for coordinating the distribution of Travellers from all Starbucks shops.

Sponsorships were also received from several local businesses, resident associations, faith groups and community organizations that have been supporting the event for many, many years. There was a total of forty-four sponsors in 2025.

Results of the 2025 Earth Day Clean Up now organized on a Ward by Ward basis:

Miller Waste Systems reported that there were 896 bags of garbage picked up and trucked away on April 26th weighing a total of 2.71 tonnes.

Site Coordinators reported that 1,477 volunteers pitched-in on Saturday morning or afternoon in support of the 34th annual Earth Day Clean Up.

In Ward One, nine sites were cleaned up by a total of 194 volunteers including Bronte Bluffs Park (15), Bronte Creek Provincial Park (31), Bronte Harbour at East Street (8), Bronte Road at the QEW Carpool (25), Burloak Drive and QEW (16), Donovan Bailey Park (3, New in 2025), Lakeshore Woods (50), Valleyridge Park and Trails (35), and Westbrook Park (11, New in 2025).

For Ward Two, there were twelve sites confirmed for the Clean Up including Aldercrest Park (12), Burnet Street Park (20), Coronation Park (160), Glen Oak Creek Trail South (6), Hopedale Park (7), Indian Ridge Trail from Lindsay Drive to Fourth Line (3), Kerr Street at North Service Road (16, one of two afternoon sites from 2-4pm), Kinoak Arena/Brook Valley Park (21), Nottinghill Park (23), Old Abbey Lane Park (40, New in 2025), West River at St. Aidan’s Park and Hogs Back Park (15), and the Woodhaven and Sedgewick Parks site (6). These areas were cleaned up by a total of 329 signed-in volunteers.

Ward Three’s nine sites included Busby Park (42), Clearview Park and area (80), Cornwall Road at Perkins Passage (including Post Park, Maple Valley Park and the Cornwall Sports Park (11), Dunvegan and Ardleigh Parks (12), Gairloch Gardens (6), Lakeside Park and Oakville Museum (39), Linbrook School (56, New in 2025), Maple Grove Park and trails (15), and the Oakville Curling Rink at Wallace Park (15). In total, 288 volunteers pitched-in at Ward Three.

Ward Four hosted the greatest number of sites with fifteen including Arbourview Woods Park (62), Bloomfield Park (5), Castlebrook Park (30), Glen Abbey Trail (7), Glen Oak Creek Trail North meeting at Fourth Line and Upper Middle Road (7), Heritage Way Park (6), Langtry Park (25), Millstone Park (3), Ravine at Third Line and Upper Middle Road (8), Sandpiper Road at Pheasant Lane (12), Sixteen Hollow Park (20), Saw Whet Park (32, New in 2025), Stratus Parkette (11), Westoak Trails Park (9), and Woodgate Woods (20). Here, 257 volunteers lent a hand.

Ward Five had eleven sites with 111 volunteers including Castlefield Park (6, New in 2025), Harman Gate Park (19), Martindale Park (4), Memorial Park Playground (18), Munns Creek and Margot Street Parks (14), Neyagawa Park (7), Oakville Park (0, New in 2025, already done), Oxford Park (2), Pelee Woods Park (11, New in 2025), Shannon Creek at Marlatt (15), and the Sheridan College trails beginning at Treetop Estates (15).

138 volunteers pitched-in at eight sites in Ward Six including Algrove Park (8), Bayshire Woods Park (20), Forest Glade Walkway (10), Glenashton Drive Bridge and ravines (18), Glenashton Park and Iroquois Ridge Community Centre (50), Lyndhurst Park (7, New in 2025), The Brownstones (12), and Valleybrook Park (13, the second of two afternoon sites, 2-4pm).

And in Ward Seven in north Oakville, there were eight sites including Fowley Park (7), George Savage Park (20, estimate), Gladeside Pond (2), Isaac Park (10), Lions Valley Park (21), Palermo Park (15), Preserve Woods Park (70, New in 2025), and William Rose Park (15). A total of 160 volunteers registered to help out.

Of the total 1,477 pitch-in volunteers, there were 216 students who received a practical lesson in environmentalism through their participation. There were 170 high school students, 44 elementary students and two university students pitching-in.

Thirty-three sites were staffed by representatives of various local organizations while the other thirty-nine sites were staffed by fifty-eight individual supporters. See the list of these 33 local organizations and 58 individuals on the website.

Tens of thousands of Oakville residents and students and 224 Site Coordinators including 131 past Site Coordinators have participated in this annual eco event over the past three plus decades making a BIG difference for the local natural environment and the health of the community.

The Five Goals of the Oakville Earth Day Clean Up Campaign

The campaign is succeeding in reaching its five goals of promoting awareness and respect for nature and Oakville’s many waterways, beautifying local neighbourhoods, building community through environmental activism, protecting wildlife, and increasing awareness of the need to protect biodiversity in Oakville.

Stay involved and active for the natural environment

The oakvillepeacecentre.org Clean Up website features lists of sites, Site Coordinators and long-time Event Sponsors, reports, photographs and other info.

This event has been organized since 1992 by the Oakville Community Centre for Peace, Ecology and Human Rights, an incorporated, not-for-profit social movement organization. We are an activist organization, not a charitable organization.

Please contact the organizers to volunteer and/or donate. Become a member of the group! Thank you very much!

The 35th annual Earth Day Clean Up is now scheduled to take place on SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026 from 9-11 am at most sites.