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Spring has officially sprung, and amongst the growing plants and increase of sunshine, the City of Owen Sound’s Public Works and Parks and Open Space Departments have begun spring clean-up operations.

Street Sweeping, Flushing, and Line Painting

The 2023 Sweeping Program began on March 20. Staff have been working to clean up all City-owned paved roads, including bridges, catch basins and gutters, as well as hard-surfaced boulevards and medians. It also includes cleaning City sidewalks and pathways, recreational trails, municipal parking lots, and other City facilities.

At the end of May, an additional sweeper will be deployed to assist with street sweeping. On occasion, you may see the Street Flusher assisting in sweeping operations for dust control. Following street sweeping and flushing, line painting will commence in early June.

Sand and debris will continue to be swept from City roads well into summer and early fall to keep streets and storm sewers clean. 

You can help by:

• Keeping parked vehicles off residential streets whenever possible to avoid blocking street sweeping operations.
• Placing garbage containers and recycling boxes away from the road edge on collection days.
• Keeping basketball and hockey nets off the road and back from the curb.
• Being patient – while street sweeping is taking place, dust and noise are common.

Boulevard Restoration

Beginning in early May, City Staff will begin to repair lawns and boulevards that were damaged by snow removal operations this past winter. You may see staff applying topsoil and seed along your property to repair the damage caused by snow removal equipment.

The River District

Sidewalks in the River District are pressure-washed twice per year. The first cleaning is planned to be completed by mid-April, weather permitting. The cross-street Noma lights are being removed this week and will be replaced with summer banners. The shade sails will also be reinstalled at the 9th Street and 1st Avenue East corner.

Staff will also be starting to clean up the garden areas along the east Bayshore wall in April.

Parks and Cemetery

Harrison Park Rink boards will be removed, and the basketball nets will be reinstalled. Parks staff have also begun inspecting trails, playgrounds, and ball diamonds to plan for spring maintenance prior to bookings.

Litter and debris clean-up has begun at Harrison Park, Kelso Beach, Stoney Orchard, Centennial Tower and neighbourhood parks.

General spring clean-up has begun at Greenwood Cemetery, including leaf raking, hedge trimming and grass seeding. 

West Boat Launch Docks and East Inner Harbour Docks are scheduled to be installed on April 19, weather permitting.

The docks at the East Boat Launch located off of the north Bayshore parking lot are available now.

Reporting Other Concerns

If you notice an area that needs some attention this spring, let us know! You can report a concern through our website.

Quick Facts:

• The City of Owen Sound services and maintains over 280 lane kilometres of roadway, approximately 100 kilometres of sidewalks, six municipal parking lots, various walkways, steps, and paths.
• Sand and debris will continue to be swept from City roads well into summer and early fall to keep streets and storm sewers clean. 
• Ongoing maintenance will include the downtown sidewalks being power washed twice a year, along with regular litter pick up.
• Beginning in early May, City Staff will begin to repair lawns and boulevards that were damaged by snow removal operations this past winter.

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source: media release, City of Owen Sound