Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 09/00) - There are more individuals, businesses and organizations pitching in to clean up the city streets and parks than ever before.

Currently, there are 40 participants registered with the city's Adopt-a-Street program, and according to Brian Kelln, the city's program manager, that number has been growing steadily over the years.

"The numbers have increased ... we get more and more inquiries and some people are just cleaning up the neighbourhoods who are not members," said Kelln.

The participants are dedicated to keeping their adopted area clean and litter free, and the city provides them with all the materials they need, such as garbage bags and gloves.

Local businesses, schools, churches, Scouts, day-care centres, sports clubs and other non-profit groups represent just a few of the Adopt-a-Street participants.

"Their role is to educate the users to respect property ... building community pride is what we're trying to do," said Kelln.

The program is especially beneficial for youth groups, said Kelln, as many individuals believe young people are not concerned with their environment.

"This shows that young people want to show others that they respect property ... that they do care," he said.

The Territorial Treatment Centre, which has adopted the Lions Park, registered with the program for that exact reason.

"We're trying to teach the kids to give something back to the community, that's why we started it," said Laura Johns, the centre's administrative assistant.

Employees of the Canadian Forces Northern Area Headquarters are doing their part as well, and are even taking their efforts to the bottom of Frame Lake.

"We go into the near shore ... but we haven't been able to get it all the way around," said Capt. Ralph Mahler.

At least a dozen CFNA employees have volunteered for the clean-up. Mahler said they usually fill more bags of litter from under the water than on the ground.

"It seems like Yellowknifers are taking an interest in keeping their walking trail clean, but they usually don't have hip-waders to go out 10 feet into the water and grab that can of coke," he said.