Clean Water - Our Future - Toronto Island Park Cleanup Takes Aim at Washed Ashore Garbage

TORONTO, Sept. 24, 2018 /CNW/ - Metal debris, old wooden piles and cables, boats, golf carts and more. Thanks to Lake Ontario's unprecedented high water levels in 2017, that's some of what washed ashore at various sites at the Toronto Island Park. That's why Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, (TRCA) and The Living City Foundation have assembled a stellar cast of 'make it happen' types, to clean up the waters around the Toronto Island Park in a second shoreline cleanup initiative. 'Clean Water ? Our Future' ? The Toronto Islands takes place Tuesday, Oct. 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The cleanup, carried out entirely from barges, tug boats and smaller vessels on the waters of Lake Ontario, brings together volunteers from the Greater Toronto Sewer and Watermain Contractors Association, (GTSWCA), PortsToronto, Galcon Marine Ltd. and the City of Toronto's Parks, Forestry and Recreation, as well as TRCA and The Living City Foundation to collect rubbish from areas that are normally inaccessible. This is the first time these groups have worked together on such a worthy cause.

"Our initial cleanup at the Bluffs, earlier this spring, demonstrated what one organization could do if they had both the desire and motivation," Giovanni Cautillo, Executive Director, GTSWCA, said. "Now we're teaming up with PortsToronto and the City of Toronto to take this cleanup to the next level. This is all about collaboration, organizations pooling their resources and donating their time to make a real difference."

"As a guardian and steward of Toronto's waterfront resources, PortsToronto works closely with the broader waterfront community to ensure future generations can continue to enjoy the city's vibrant shores," Chris Sawicki, VP of Infrastructure, Planning & Environment, PortsToronto, said. "This event shows how innovative thinking and collaboration can have lasting and impactful results. We're thrilled to partner together with the GTSWCA, the City of Toronto, Galcon Marine Ltd., TRCA, and The Living City Foundation on this important initiative as our efforts will truly be taken to the next level."

The focus will be to remove large, heavy items found along the shorelines at four sites at Mugg's Island, Donut Island, the Fairchild Towers and Ward Island Cove. PortsToronto is donating the use of the Iron Guppy Tug Boat, The Sweep Scow, The Brutus and The Osprey.  Two small work boats with outboard engines will be used to get into shallow areas and Galcon Marine Ltd. is donating the Landing Craft, an open deck, shallow draft steel boat to be used to collect materials at the water's edge. Everyone involved is excited to undertake this collaborative project where Lake Ontario is the ultimate winner.

About GTSWCA: The Greater Toronto Sewer & Watermain Contractors Association (GTSWCA) represents sewer and watermain construction contractors in the Greater Toronto Area. The GTSWCA is committed to the maintenance and expansion of water and wastewater assets to ensure a plentiful supply of clean water and the preservation of our lakes and rivers.

About Ports Toronto (https://www.portstoronto.com):  For more than 100 years PortsToronto has worked with its partners at the federal, provincial and municipal levels to enhance the economic growth of the City of Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. PortsToronto owns and operates Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, which welcomed 2.8 million passengers in 2017; the Outer Harbour Marina, one of Canada's largest freshwater marinas; and, Marine Terminal 52, which provides transportation, distribution, storage and container services to businesses at the Port of Toronto. PortsToronto is committed to fostering strong, healthy and sustainable communities and has invested more than $10 million since 2009 in charitable initiatives and environmental programs that benefit communities along Toronto's waterfront and beyond. PortsToronto operates in accordance with the Canada Marine Act and is guided by a nine-member board with representation from all three levels of government.

About the City of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation: The Parks, Forestry & Recreation Division ensures that people in the diverse communities of Toronto have full and equitable access to high-calibre, locally responsive recreation programs, efficiently operated facilities, and safe, clean and beautiful parks, open spaces, ravines and forests.

About Galcon Marine Ltd.: Galcon Marine's highly skilled Construction Team has had extensive experience with diversified projects of all types in the Marine Construction Industry. Our team has the working knowledge of the processes involved in working together as a team during pre-construction planning, value engineering & contracts administration in order to make the project a success.

About TRCA:  With more than 60 years of experience, TRCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities in Ontario. Working with municipalities and other partners to manage the watersheds of the Toronto region and its Lake Ontario waterfront, it helps people understand, enjoy and look after the natural environment. TRCA's vision is for The Living City®, where human settlement can flourish forever as part of nature's beauty and diversity.

About The Living City Foundation:  Established in 1961, The Living City^® Foundation is the fundraising and charitable arm of Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). It exists to connect, engage and inspire people and organizations to donate and support the work of TRCA. 

SOURCE Toronto and Region Conservation Authority