Toronto — Mayor Olivia Chow has announced the launch of a major citywide initiative, Keep Toronto Beautiful, aimed at revitalizing public spaces across the city with targeted cleaning blitzes and infrastructure improvements.
Starting this week and continuing through the fall, the City will deploy 300 to 400-person crews on Saturdays to tackle high-need areas, focusing on graffiti removal, litter cleanup, street sweeping, pothole repairs, and enhanced maintenance in public parks. The blitzes will complement the City’s ongoing daily cleaning patrols and come in response to resident feedback from a 2024 citywide satisfaction survey.
“When our public spaces are clean, safe and welcoming, we all benefit,” said Mayor Chow. “Keep Toronto Beautiful is more than just maintenance – it’s about cleaning up the streets and creating better neighbourhoods throughout our city.”
Key features of the cleaning blitzes include:
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Removal of graffiti, weeds, and litter from streets, sidewalks, parks, and laneways
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Tree maintenance and new landscaping in public spaces
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Deployment of 600+ new garbage and recycling bins in busy parks
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Street sweeping and beautification of boulevards
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Pothole repairs, crosswalk repainting, and bike lane enhancements
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Crackdowns on illegal dumping and more resources to support outdoor pool and park upkeep
The initiative also has a strong equity focus. While 311 requests will help guide cleaning locations, data will also be used to prioritize underserved neighbourhoods that may not report issues as frequently.
More than Just Clean Streets
In addition to physical improvements, the campaign reflects broader goals around mental wellness, public safety, and community pride. The City notes that clean, well-maintained spaces promote outdoor activity, reduce stress, and help residents feel safer and more connected.
To support the initiative, the City is hiring up to 30 students to join park maintenance teams this summer and expanding staffing at 21 outdoor pools. Residents are also encouraged to participate in Community Environment Days, which reduce landfill waste through local collection drives for electronics, textiles, and household items.
Residents can report problem areas via the 311 Toronto app, online at toronto.ca/311, or by calling 311 directly.
For more information, visit www.toronto.ca, or follow the City of Toronto on X, Instagram, or Facebook.
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