Weekly parking restrictions in effect since Apr. 1
As the weather warms and the ice thaws, the spring brings people back outside and offers a much-needed reprieve from the cold. Unfortunately, it also means all the trash that has accumulated over the winter months reappears from under the snow.
The borough started its spring clean-up efforts last week, clearing sidewalks of accumulated deicing salt and sweeping and cleaning main arteries and residential streets, with summer parking restrictions now in effect.
“From Apr. 1, parking restrictions will take effect, allowing borough teams to use street cleaners and water hoses (weather permitting) to clean-up,” read a statement by the borough.
The clean-up effort will run for approximately 5 weeks, cleaning 283 km of streets and 378 km of sidewalks throughout Montreals’ tenth-largest borough. The cleaning of back alleys will start in mid-may, accounting for a total of 89 km.
Full-time effort
Main arteries, such as de l’Acadie, Jean-Talon and Jarry, are set to be cleaned first. Secondary roads and residential streets come next with medians, concrete islands, viaducts and alleys coming last.
Approximately 60 borough employees are taking part in the clean-up effort, working seven days a week.
“Crews use vacuum brooms, mechanical brooms, tank trucks with bionic arms and sidewalk washers to remove pebbles, stones and debris that have accumulated on the roadway and sidewalks during the winter,” wrote the borough.
The parking restrictions are essential to the clean-up effort said the borough. “Improperly parked cars cause delays and impact the quality of the result,” they wrote. Fines of roughly 80$ apply to those parked during prohibited hours.
Resident clean-up sessions
While the borough is responsible for cleaning streets and sidewalks, residents are also encouraged to take part in the clean-up of their neighbourhood. “We can never say it enough, cleanliness is a collective affair,” highlighted the borough.
Environmental organization Ville en vert organizes several citizen activities where residents can borough equipment for free and help clean up their area. Interested people can visit Ville en vert’s website for more information.
“We are counting on the contribution of the entire population to keep our spaces clean and to respect the instructions regarding recycling and collection of residual materials,” continued the statement.
Coalition des amis du parc Jarry and Ville en vert will host their 14th annual community clean-up of Jarry Park on May 7 at 9:30 AM. Starting at the park chalet and police station, gloves rakes and garbage bags will be distributed to those who want to help.
“From Apr. 1, parking restrictions will take effect, allowing borough teams to use street cleaners and water hoses to clean up,”
Park revitalization
The borough also plans to clean parks and green spaces in anticipation of the summer months when many residents flock to them for sports and leisure. All 61 parks in the borough will be cleaned up with much of its infrastructure checked for defects and repaired.
“In anticipation of sunny days, the trails, playgrounds, water games and sports fields will be cleaned and swept, the swings installed and the good condition of the park chalets checked,” wrote the borough.
Street furniture such as benches, public trash cans and bike racks will be reinstalled or restored in the coming weeks. The borough also indicated more street garbage cans would be installed for the summer.
“In the streets, teams will clean the medians, grassy areas, flower beds and repair tree bowls,” they continued.
Graffiti removal
The operation will not only focus on streets and parks but also on the graffiti that has popped up on buildings around the borough.
“Graffiti removal operations take place from May to November, excluding hateful graffiti which is removed as soon as possible,” wrote the borough, adding that residents can report any graffiti they see by calling 311.
Residents can also request the removal of graffiti on private property by contacting the borough. Some conditions apply but the service is offered free of charge. More information is available on the borough’s website.
