Pathway and River Cleanup

Pathway and River cleanup

May 3 – 5, 2024

During the annual cleanup event, thousands of registered volunteers collect garbage in every quadrant of the city. Volunteers help remove litter in Calgary’s parks, greenspaces, and nearly 300 kilometres of pathways and river banks each year.

To see photos from the events, search #yyccleans.

The 2024 Pathway and River Cleanup will be held May 3 – 5, 2024.

Volunteer registration is now closed. Find more information here.

For additional information Contact Parks

See Mayor Gondek’s thank you video to volunteers

Event information

Since the Pathway and River Cleanup  began in 1967, thousands of Calgarians have volunteered thier time to cleanup with many returning each year after year.

Prior to the event, volunteers register as groups, identifying a designated leader and a designated cleanup area. Any registered volunteers without a group are assigned to a City of Calgary team at one of three designated parks. During the cleanup, volunteers remove the litter within their assigned location. The litter is collected in bags and placed beside pathways or in City garbage bins. City staff pick up the bags and transport them to a designated dump site where they are properly disposed of by Waste & Recycling Services.

If you notice garbage bags that have not been picked up, please contact 311.

Project Rise

Project Rise cleans up and wins our photo contest

Stay connected

For Pathway and River Cleanup updates or to see event photos shared by our volunteers, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook or search #yyccleans.

Pathway and River Cleanup History

The Pathway and River Cleanup began in 1967 when 12-year-old Sandra Crawford was walking alongside the Elbow River. During her stroll, she noticed a mattress lying in the water.

She tried to remove it but was not able to pull it out on her own. Instead of leaving the mattress for someone else to remove, she saw it as an opportunity to take action. She wrote a letter to the Calgary Herald about the debris, which led to what has since been declared as the first Pathway and River Cleanup. 

If you have any questions about the Pathway and River Cleanup, please contact 311.

Presenting sponsor:

ConocoPhillips logo

Thanks to presenting sponsor, ConocoPhillips Canada, for their continued support of the Pathway and River Cleanup.

Second annual Pathway Cleanup, 1968. Photo credit: Glenbow Archives NA-621h-10

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