Behind the Scenes: Bringing the Community Together for the Town Centre Park Cleanup in Coquitlam
On April 11, 2026, we brought the community together for a powerful day of action at Town Centre Park in Coquitlam. What started as a simple goal, to clean up our local environment, turned into something much bigger.
This wasn’t just a cleanup. It was a reflection of what happens when people show up for something that matters.
Building Momentum from Previous Cleanups
This event marked our second large-scale community cleanup, following the September 27, 2025 cleanup on Burke Mountain. That initial event set the tone for what’s possible when the community rallies together.
Beyond these larger activations, we’ve also been consistently maintaining our adopted trail and surrounding areas over the past year, contributing to multiple park and trail cleanups throughout Coquitlam. These ongoing efforts are a core part of our commitment to environmental stewardship.
Each cleanup builds momentum, not just in terms of impact, but in awareness, participation, and community pride.
A Strong Turnout from the Community
We were proud to see such an incredible turnout from volunteers across the Tri-Cities. Families, individuals, and local supporters all came together with one shared purpose, to take care of the natural spaces we all enjoy.
Even more meaningful, former Kwikwetlem Chief Ed Hall, Mayor Richard Stewart, and five city councillors, Steve Kim, Teri Towner, Matt Djonlic, Robert Mazzarolo, and Craig Hodge, came out to support the initiative in person. That level of engagement shows how important community-driven environmental efforts are becoming in Coquitlam.
From the very beginning, the energy was focused, positive, and collaborative.
What We Accomplished
Volunteers spread out across Town Centre Park and surrounding trail systems, targeting high-impact areas where litter tends to accumulate. With gloves, bags, and tools in hand, the group worked efficiently to remove waste and restore the park.
Some key highlights from the day:
Large volumes of litter removed from trails and public areas
Cigarette butt collection tracked across volunteer groups for a total of 4,771 picked up by the end of the event
3 pickup trucks full of trash removed from green spaces
Cleaner, safer pathways for the community
Increased awareness around waste and environmental responsibility
These efforts may seem small individually, but collectively, they create real, visible impact.
More Than Just a Cleanup
What stood out most wasn’t just the amount of garbage collected, it was the sense of community.
People stayed, connected, and took pride in what they were doing. Conversations were happening between people who had never met before. Kids were learning the importance of taking care of their environment in a hands-on way.
This is how change happens, not through one big moment, but through consistent, collective effort.
Powered by Community Support
This event would not have been possible without the support of local businesses and partners who stepped up to contribute.
From providing snacks and supplies to donating prizes for volunteers, the backing from the community helped elevate the experience and made the day more engaging for everyone involved.
Thank you to our sponsors: Wesbild, Townline Homes, Infinity Group, Coquitlam Search and Rescue, DMACK Driving School, Cassandra Cakes, Rocky Point Ice Cream, What’s On Tri-Cities, and Food Link Society, we couldn’t have done it without you!
Why We Do This
At Boro and Beyond, we believe in using our platform and resources to contribute to something bigger than ourselves. Our work in media and communications is rooted in storytelling, and this is one of the most important stories we can help tell.
Taking care of the spaces we live in directly impacts the quality of life for everyone, including future generations.
We’ve been committed to environmental stewardship for years, and events like this are just one part of that ongoing effort.
What’s Next
This cleanup is part of a much larger vision.
We’re continuing to expand these initiatives across Coquitlam and into neighboring communities, bringing more people together and creating more opportunities for positive impact.
If you’ve been thinking about getting involved, this is your sign.
Final Thoughts
The success of this event came down to one simple thing, people showing up.
Every person who participated made a difference. And when you zoom out, that difference becomes something much bigger.
We’re proud of what was accomplished, and even more excited about what’s ahead.
