Calgarians are once again ready to roll up their sleeves and help spruce up the city\u2019s pathways and riverbanks during the 2026 Pathway and River Cleanup, taking place from Friday, May 1 to Sunday, May 3.<\/p>\n
Now a long\u2011standing community tradition, the Pathway and River Cleanup, has brought together thousands of volunteers since it first began nearly six decades ago. Many participants return year after year, helping keep Calgary\u2019s outdoor spaces clean, safe and enjoyable for everyone.<\/p>\n
The initiative traces its roots back to 1967, when 12\u2011year\u2011old Sandra Crawford spotted a discarded mattress while walking along the Elbow River. Unable to remove it on her own, she chose not to ignore the problem. Instead, she wrote a letter to the Calgary Herald highlighting the debris, inspiring what would become Calgary\u2019s first organized Pathway and River Cleanup.<\/p>\n
Today, that single act of initiative continues to motivate community members to take pride in their city and protect Calgary\u2019s treasured river valleys and pathway system.<\/p>\n
\u201cEach spring, the Pathway and River Cleanup shows what\u2019s possible when Calgarians come together around a common goal. This weekend is about more than picking up litter, it\u2019s about caring for the places we all share and enjoy every day. The commitment we see from volunteers helps keep our parks and pathways welcoming, while reinforcing the importance of protecting these spaces long after the cleanup is finished,\u201d says Kyle Ripley, Director of Parks and Open Spaces.<\/p>\n
The event would not be possible without the help of our generous presenting sponsor, ConocoPhillips Canada, and the over 2,000 hardworking registered volunteers who will be picking up litter in our parks along 300 kilometers of our pathways and riverbanks at over 170 locations.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery year, our staff look forward to working alongside fellow Calgarians to help keep our city clean,\u201d says Nick McKenna, ConocoPhillips Canada president. \u201cAs Presenting Sponsor, ConocoPhillips is proud to support a clean-up that brings people together to care for the places where we live and work.\u201d<\/p>\n