How Vancouver Keeps Jericho, Locarno & Kitsilano Beaches Sparkling Clean
City crews and community volunteers via Surfrider, Shoreline Rescue & Park Board programs work year-round to keep Kitsilano, Jericho & Locarno beaches clean.
WBN News Kitsilano
✍️ By Karalee Greer |WBN News – Kitsilano | May 16, 2025 Subscription to WBN and being a Contributor is Free.
Vancouver's beaches—Kitsilano, Jericho, and Locarno—are among the city's most treasured outdoor spaces. Keeping them pristine is a multi-layered effort involving city services, nonprofits, and community volunteers.
I've enjoyed many days relaxing, walking my dogs, and visiting with friends and family at Vancouver's beaches. I always appreciate how our community helps keep the beaches clean for both our locals and visitors to enjoy.
🛠️ Vancouver Parks’ Daily Maintenance
The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation deploys cleaning crews daily during peak seasons. Staff use sand-sifting machines, beach groomers, and specialized rakes to remove litter, glass, and natural debris. Garbage and recycling bins are emptied regularly, and washrooms are maintained throughout the day.
One unique aspect of beach care is the seasonal movement of shoreline logs. These logs, which serve as seating and natural barriers, are repositioned every spring using small bulldozers and front loaders. This prepares the beaches for increased foot traffic, improves safety, and ensures accessibility while preserving the natural look and feel of Vancouver’s coastline.
Beach water quality is also monitored by Vancouver Coastal Health, which tests weekly during the April–September swimming season to ensure safe conditions and prompt cleanup actions when needed. Vancouver Coastal Health
🤝 2. Volunteer & Community-Led Cleanup Efforts
Nonprofits like the Surfrider Foundation Vancouver host regular cleanups at Kitsilano, Jericho, and Locarno—monthly or seasonally—as part of their Love Your Beach and Shoreline Cleanup initiatives https://vancouverbc.surfrider.ca/events Volunteer efforts focus on removing micro-plastics, cigarette butts, and litter.
The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, often organized through the Board of Trade or UBC groups, also brings volunteers together. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Canadian_Shoreline_Cleanup
🚯 3. Preventive Measures & Education
Strategically placed garbage and recycling bins, frequently emptied by crews, help reduce overflow during busy weekends. The city's Adopt-a-Park and Neighbourhood Cleanup Party programs empower residents to lead localized cleanups with support from the city City of Vancouver.
Surfrider and aligned groups run public education campaigns to highlight the most common pollutants—like cigarette butts, which make up a large share of beach litter Squarespace. Volunteers use gloves and pickers, following safety protocols to avoid hazards Surfrider VancouverSurfrider Vancouver.
🐾 4. Responsible Pet & Beach Use
While dogs are allowed off-leash in designated areas, to protect wildlife and prevent contamination, owners are reminded to avoid bringing pets into sensitive dune zones or waterways. Keeping dogs out of sand and water helps minimize fecal and bacterial local footprint—a process also monitored via beach water testing Vancouver Coastal Health.
✅ The Takeaway
Vancouver’s beaches stay clean thanks to structured city programs, proactive nonprofit-led campaigns, and engaged community action. Whether you're a visitor or a local, you can help by disposing of litter responsibly, joining cleanup events, and respecting designated areas for pets. Together, these efforts ensure Kitsilano, Jericho, and Locarno remain clean, safe, and beautiful for all.
Hashtags: #WBN News Kitsilano #Karalee Greer #Vancouver Beaches #Surfrider Vancouver #Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup #Kitsilano Beach #Jericho Beach #Locarno Beach
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