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City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:
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News Release

June 21, 2025

City of Toronto launches cleaning blitz to protect public spaces, streets, and parks

Today, Mayor Olivia Chow launched a new citywide initiative called Keep Toronto Beautiful aimed at keeping public spaces clean, safe and well-maintained. A clean city impacts public health, the environment, the economy and overall quality of life.

From now through fall, 300 to 400-person cleaning blitz crews will harness their energy to clean and refresh specific high cleaning-need areas. This work will include:
• Removal of graffiti, weeds and litter from streets, sidewalks, parks and other spaces
• Tree maintenance on streets and in parks
• Installing more than 600 new garbage and recycling bins in high-usage parks
• Intensified enforcement and clean-up of illegal dumping hotspots
• Street sweeping and clean-up of boulevards and laneways
• Repairs to potholes, bike lanes and bike rings
• Repainting pavement markings, including crosswalks, to improve road safety

These blitzes, planned for several Saturdays over a three-month period, are in addition to proactive daily patrols by City crews to identify and maintain areas in need of attention.

The City is also putting extra care into public parks and pools this summer with daily clean-up efforts that include repairing benches, picnic tables and other equipment, graffiti removal and litter pickup, as well as hiring up to 30 students to join summer park cleaning teams and adding more custodial staff to maintain 21 outdoor pools.

Data will drive the approach to identify neighbourhoods where cleaning blitzes are most needed. Crews will resolve 311 Service Requests as well as applying an equity lens to prioritize cleaning and repairs in historically underserved, low-income and vulnerable communities where the City typically receives fewer 311 Service Requests.

Most Torontonians say they are satisfied or very satisfied with the city’s overall cleanliness, according to a 2024 survey (https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-251235.pdf). Residents also shared valuable ideas for improving the spaces that matter most to them and the City is using the warm summer months to accelerate progress on those suggestions.

The Keep Toronto Beautiful campaign is rooted in the knowledge that cleaner, well-maintained neighbourhoods and natural spaces can foster a sense of calm and safety, helping to improve mental health and inspiring a sense of pride and belonging. Safe and inviting public spaces also encourage healthy behaviours like walking, cycling and spending time outdoors.

Residents and visitors can get involved to help keep Toronto beautiful by not littering, joining neighbourhood clean-up and beautification efforts, and participating in Community Environment Days which help reduce the amount of reusable or recyclable waste going to landfill (https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/recycling-organics-garbage/community-environment-days/community-environment-days-schedule/).

Residents can report areas in need of attention by calling 311, via the 311 Toronto mobile app or online (https://www.toronto.ca/home/311-toronto-at-your-service/).

Quote:
“When our public spaces are clean, safe and welcoming, we all benefit. Keep Toronto Beautiful is more than just maintenance – it's about cleaning up the streets and creating better neighbourhoods throughout our city. It's a reminder that together, we can create a more caring Toronto for everyone.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow

Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit www.toronto.ca or follow us on X at x.com/cityoftoronto, on Instagram at www.instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofto.

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Media contact: Media Relations, media@toronto.ca

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