Youths recruit volunteers to clean up Sugarbowl Park May 23

The Fort Erie Youth Library Association (YLA) is recruiting volunteers for a cleanup at Sugarbowl Park on Saturday, hoping to surpass the 18 volunteers who turned out for a similar effort last September.

The YLA will run the cleanup from 2 to 4 p.m. at the park at 100 Gilmore Road, directly behind the Fort Erie Public Library. The group returned to the site this spring after a librarian noted that melting snow often uncovers garbage left over from winter months.

Adelaide Dy, 16, chairs the YLA and told Fort Erie Radio that public green space in Fort Erie often requires both municipal attention and resident action. Dy said town ownership of parks does not remove the responsibility residents carry to push for change.

“Environmental stewardship is extremely important for the well-being of our town and the common good,” said Dy. “Parks are city owned and founded by taxpayer money, however, sometimes change is not seen unless evoked by residents.”

She believes Fort Erie’s young people are aware of environmental issues in broad terms but lack deeper education on the subject. Dy called for more coverage of environmental topics in local schools.

“Although we may be a group of kids, we want to see this town better and cleaner,” said Dy.

Dy also said she hopes the cleanup demonstrates to officials and residents that youth in the community are invested in Fort Erie’s future.

“Fort Erie is such a nature-lush town. We should all work to preserve this,” said Dy.

The group plans to count the final number of garbage bags collected to track their impact. Volunteers will be directed to avoid needles, glass or bagged substances.

Volunteers can register through the YLA at ylaforterie@gmail.com before the May 23 event.

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