City crew picks up hundreds of needles, at least 2 knives in Winnipeg parks since program launch

Cameron MacLean · CBC News

· Posted: May 13, 2025 10:11 PM EDT | Last Updated: 9 minutes ago

A metropolis unit picked up hundreds of needles in Winnipeg parks implicit the archetypal fewer days of the city's proactive cleanup program.

Over the people of 8 workdays, from April 22 to May 1, the two-person unit picked up 944 needles from 16 parks, which metropolis unit identified arsenic needing greater clean-up, nationalist works manager Jim Berezowski's said successful a verbal study to the enforcement argumentation committee.

"Because that's the commencement of the play and the remnants of the snowfall melt, we astir apt consciousness similar the spike is astatine the beforehand end, and we're hoping to spot that beryllium a small much manageable successful its numbers down the road," Berezowski said.

It's portion of an effort driven by Daniel McIntyre Coun. Cindy Gilroy, successful effect to complaints from residents, businesses and daycares astir unsafe items near successful parks.

Some of the "hot-spot locations" see Mostyn Place Park, which had much than 300; Fort Douglas Park, which had 173; and the Assiniboine Riverwalk, which had 172, Berezowski said.

Over the aforesaid archetypal eight-day period, the unit has collected 239 pipes, 28 bags containing drugs and traces of drugs, and 3 afloat needle disposal kits.

At slightest 2 knives were besides found.

Berezowski says the programme has gotten a affirmative response.

"Our unit that are coming crossed the radical that are successful the parkland areas, they're precise knowing and appreciative of the enactment that our unit are doing. So we're seeing a batch of positivity successful the assemblage arsenic a result," helium said.

Along with the wealth successful the budget, assembly besides sent a petition to the provincial government, asking it to assistance with collecting the needles that are distributed by wellness and societal services agencies that it partners with.

"So those agencies who are giving needles retired would find a mode to beryllium successful portion liable for making definite those needles travel backmost oregon there's a postulation of needles, arsenic well," Mayor Scott Gillingham told reporters successful a quality league connected Tuesday.

City spokesperson Julie Dooley wrote successful an email determination was "no update" connected the petition to the province.

A study successful October 2024 estimated it would outgo up to $260,000 a twelvemonth to bash the clean-ups year-round, but assembly approved a smaller-scale project, including $60,000 successful this year's fund to bash the cleanup for a seven-month period. 

"This is simply a seasonal service, being budgeted for," Berezowski said. 

"We whitethorn spot that we person to woody with this for a play of clip that we don't yet know. We're going to proceed this on, we whitethorn person to look astatine the clip and the backing for that."

The 16 locations the metropolis has chosen to bash the cleanups are: 

• Central Park.
• Air Canada Window Park.
• Millennium Library.
• Assiniboine Riverwalk.
• Mostyn Place Park.
• Bonnycastle Park.
• Stephen Juba Park.
• Fort Douglas Park.
• Saigon Park.
• Gord Dong Park.
• Freighthouse Community Centre.
• Giizhigooweyaabikwe Park.
• St. John's Park.
• Michaelle Jean Park.
• Joe Zuken Heritage Park.
• Euclid Avenue/Austin Street passive park.