On Saturday May 9th Ottawa South Green Party members and friends participated in a spring clean-up on Pleasant Park Road, along Lynda Lane and in Lynda Lane Park.  The event was publicized and organized by local party membership chair Dr. Michael Pilon.  Over 12 people, young and not so young, turned out to help on a rainy morning.

The area along both sides of Lynda Lane yielded a lot of refuse, most of it from Ottawa Hospital visitors who park there daily in great numbers.  Some 14 bags of garbage and waste were picked up in less than 2 hours.  An amazing variety of items was collected including a selection of condoms; diapers; liquor bottles; plastic shopping bags; beer and soft drink cans/bottles; as well as many Tim Horton's cups.  It is shameful and disturbing that so much trash is dumped on public property.  One wonders if visitors parking on hospital property dispose of trash and garbage in the same way. 

Construction waste, bricks and other items, have also been dumped in the area.  City of Ottawa officials have indicated that they will have this waste removed.  The City helped in another way too, by kindly loaning garbage picking tools.  These helped reduce the amount of back bending involved. 

Thanks to all those who participated in the clean-up.  The Lynda Lane area looks a lot tidier now, for a day or two anyway!