Massey Place church cleans up community park

A group of Massey Place neighbourhood residents have helped bring out the beautify in their community this spring with a community park clean up.

West Portal Church members spent Saturday morning picking up trash at Archibald McDonald Park just north of Confederation Mall.

“We are taking ownership of our community and we want to do what we can to contribute to not only the safety, but also some of ascetics so it’s a fun and safe place to be,” associate pastor and clean up organizer Jeff Siemens said. “This is a great tangible way to say we’re part of this community and care about this community.”

As a park with two schools and several multi-unit homes, Siemens said the space acts as the “nucleus of the community.”

This is the second year the church has organized a big clean up.

Just like last year, the melting snow revealed clusters of garbage, including hazards such as glass and needles. Siemens said such hazards aren’t common, but are a concern for parents.

“Some men’s underwear…condoms… found different kind of drug paraphernalia. Nothing’s really surprising anymore,” Siemens joked.

He hopes his community’s actions inspire others to come together and clean up their own communities to make their places they’re proud to call home.