BRAGG CREEK— Looking to preserve the pristine beauty of the Bragg Creek area, a group of volunteers gathered Saturday (June 26) for a community cleanup.
A group of around 60 residents gathered Saturday morning to tidy up the streets of Bragg Creek, collecting more than 100 bags of garbage in the community street cleanup organized by the Bragg Creek Ladies Auxiliary, said past president Michele McDonald.
“Many of us walk around the core of the hamlet, we have dogs so we can get out, and we love to walk around. Particularly, since there’s been COVID there just seems to be a lot more garbage around. That’s a function of more people visiting the area," she said.
The Ladies Auxiliary is grateful to the community for rallying together to help sweep the streets of Bragg Creek for garbage, McDonald said. She added the crew of volunteers reflects community members' love for the beautiful flora and fauna that call Bragg Creek home.
She noted there was an extra level of enthusiasm for the cleanup, as it marked one of the first-time community members have been able to connect in-person since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ladies Auxiliary was inspired to host the cleanup given the province's move to Stage 2 of COVID-19 public health measures, and the increased flexibility to host group gatherings and events to support the community.
As the province opened up and the summer weather took hold, McDonald said, the idea for a community cleanup was born.
On the day of the cleanup, volunteers met at the Bragg Creek Community Centre for a drive-thru style event where they could pick up the supplies they needed. McDonald said based on working with Alberta Health Services and Rocky View County, a focus was placed on preventing a big in-person gathering event before the start of the cleanup.
McDonald said it was inspiring to see different organizations, community members and volunteers unite for the event. Along with the Ladies Auxiliary, Bragg Creek Trails, Bragg Creek Wild, business owners and others joined in to participate in the community pick-up day.
“A father and son from Calgary even came out because the son cross-country skis with one of the teams out here and uses the trails. His comment was, ‘Well you give back when you get so much from this area,” McDonald said.
She noted one of the main concerns for volunteers was the volume of cigarette butts they found during the cleanup— This is especially troubling given the forest surrounding Bragg Creek and the area.
“We see people throwing butts out not extinguished. That’s the biggest fear in this area …. It’s fire,” McDonald said.
The Ladies Auxiliary said volunteers are hoping to see the community cleanup day become an annual event in Bragg Creek.
They expect to see the event take root in the community and serve as an opportunity to help keep the community cleanup the area they call home, while bringing neighbours together.
“We might not be paper conservationists, but we live out here because we love this area so much. We will take care of it,” McDonald said.
