Clean Streets Program Kicks Off During Toronto's Community Clean-Up Days

TORONTO, April 14, 2015 /CNW/ - The Toronto Entertainment District BIA (TOED BIA) will launch its fifth annual Clean Streets Program during the city wide Clean Toronto Together Campaign. The program operates in partnership with the City of Toronto Shelter, Support and Housing Administration. On Saturday, April 18, the Clean Streets team, a group of seasonal workers dedicated to litter, tree care and graffiti removal, will lead the District's participation in the Community Clean Up Days. Community Clean Up Days will be held in Toronto over two days: Saturday April 18 and Sunday April 19, 2015.

The Clean Streets Program runs in the District throughout the spring and summer.  Duties of the team include: litter removal; reporting on private property problem areas; small scale graffiti and poster removal; tree sign installation; conducting tree audits; maintaining BIA street furniture (benches, tree grates, poles, pole wraps and planters); and responding to BIA members' clean up requests.

According to Sue Goodfellow, Acting Manager, Streets to Homes, City of Toronto: "We are delighted to support this great initiative for its fifth year. The Clean Streets program provides our clients with transferable skills that help them secure future work opportunities. The program not only assists clients professionally, but also has a tremendous impact on their personal growth."

The Clean Streets program operates with support from several TOED BIA members: Tim Horton's at 322 King Street West provides snacks; YMCA of Greater Toronto in Metro Hall provides lunch; SoHo Metropolitan Hotel, Crocodile Rock and Steam Whistle Brewing provide garbage disposal; and the City of Toronto Shelter at 129 Peter Street provides cleaning equipment and materials storage.

Barry McLeod, General Manager, Crocodile Rock, has stated: "We are pleased to lend a helping hand to the Clean Streets team. Since its inception, we have provided our garbage bins for the team to discard any waste, and we will continue assisting whenever possible."

According to Jack Robinson, Chair, Toronto Entertainment District Business Improvement Area and Chief Operating Officer, CN Tower, "The Clean Streets program has made a visible difference in our community. The team's hard work goes a long way in attracting locals and visitors to the Entertainment District and supports our mandate to improve the economic and cultural vitality of the area. We look forward to a successful fifth year."

The Entertainment District BIA is encouraging all its members to support the Clean Streets team by participating in a number of stewardship activities being implemented as part of Toronto's Clean Toronto Together Campaign. These environmental stewardship opportunities are The Corporate and School Clean-Up day on Friday, April 17 and the Community Clean-Up days on Saturday April 18 and Sunday April 19, 2015.

For more info on Clean Toronto Together visit: http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=d9236056e60c3410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=8131fbfa98491410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD

About the Toronto Entertainment District Business Improvement Area:

Established in 2008, TOED's mandate is to promote, improve and preserve a dynamic area of Toronto. Benefitting from economic, environmental and social factors driving downtown growth, the Entertainment District is in the midst of a renaissance, firmly establishing itself as a thriving and vibrant district for living, creating, working and entertainment. From Air Canada Centre to the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, the Entertainment District includes many of Toronto's most iconic buildings. In the heart of the District are the CN Tower, Steam Whistle Brewing, Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, MetroCentre, Rogers Centre, Roy Thomson Hall, Princess of Wales Theatre, Royal Alexandra Theatre and TIFF Bell Lightbox. www.torontoed.com

SOURCE Toronto Entertainment District Business Improvement Area

Janice Solomon, Executive Director, Toronto Entertainment District BIA , 416-926-1337 [email protected], torontoed.com, facebook.com/ torontoed, twitter: @toronto_ed