Fireworks spectators leave mess in English Bay
Garbage strewn on beach, along local streets despite organizers asking people to pack it out
Sunday morning's first beach-goers to English Bay probably noticed nothing except clean, groomed sand, but hours before, city crews had to toil to pick up after those fireworks spectators who didn't heed the call to take their trash away.
Police estimate up to 300,000 people staked out a spot in English Bay to watch the opening night of the 2016 Celebration of Light. That appears to be down from previous years, when the festival has drawn up to 500,000 people.
On Friday and Saturday, organizers along with the general manager of Vancouver's Board of Parks and Recreation reminded those going to the show not to leave a mess, as left-behind garbage has been a problem in other years.
A friendly reminder to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KeepVancouverClean?src=hash">#KeepVancouverClean</a>. Pick up your garbage, recycle & contribute to Vancouvers greenest city initiative! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GreenestCity?src=hash">#GreenestCity</a>
—@CelebOfLightEnglish Bay Beach this morning after <a href="https://twitter.com/ParkBoard">@ParkBoard</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/CelebOfLight">@CelebOfLight</a> asked people pack out their garbage. <a href="https://twitter.com/gpsmendoza">@gpsmendoza</a> <a href="https://t.co/1ITzTbqvC0">pic.twitter.com/1ITzTbqvC0</a>
—@ChadPawson"We ask that all of you attending, please help us in that task by taking out your garbage, not bringing glass bottles to the event and most importantly do not smoke on the beaches," said Malcolm Bromley to media on Friday.
He added that crews are deployed at 5 a.m. to clean up the mess that is often left behind.
There are two more fireworks shows to come in English Bay for the 2016 edition of the festival, with the next on Wednesday July 27 and the final one on Saturday July 30.
Tonight will be a spectacular show as 2016 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CelebofLight?src=hash">#CelebofLight</a> kicks off for 26th year! Here's a friendly reminder... <a href="https://t.co/eFZ1hf01nl">pic.twitter.com/eFZ1hf01nl</a>
—@ParkBoardwith files from Gian-Paolo Mendoza.
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