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

A city crew picked up hundreds of needles in Winnipeg parks over the first few days of the city's proactive cleanup program.

Over the course of eight workdays, from April 22 to May 1, the two-person crew picked up 944 needles from 16 parks, which city staff identified as needing greater clean-up, public works director Jim Berezowski's said in a verbal report to the executive policy committee.

"Because that's the start of the season and the remnants of the snow melt, we probably feel like the spike is at the front end, and we're hoping to see that be a little more manageable in its numbers down the road," Berezowski said.

It's part of an effort driven by Daniel McIntyre Coun. Cindy Gilroy, in response to complaints from residents, businesses and daycares about dangerous items left in parks.

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

Over the same initial eight-day period, the crew has collected 239 pipes, 28 bags containing drugs and traces of drugs, and three full needle disposal kits.

At least two knives were also found.

Berezowski says the program has gotten a positive response.

"Our staff that are coming across the people that are in the park areas, they're very understanding and appreciative of the work that our staff are doing. So we're seeing a lot of positivity in the community as a result," he said.

Along with the money in the budget, council also sent a request to the provincial government, asking it to help with collecting the needles that are distributed by health and social services agencies that it partners with.

"So those agencies who are giving needles out would find a way to be in part responsible for making sure those needles come back or there's a collection of needles, as well," Mayor Scott Gillingham told reporters in a news conference on Tuesday.

City spokesperson Julie Dooley wrote in an email there was "no update" on the request to the province.

A report in October 2024 estimated it would cost up to $260,000 a year to do the clean-ups year-round, but council approved a smaller-scale project, including $60,000 in this year's budget to do the cleanup for a seven-month period. 

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

"We may see that we have to deal with this for a period of time that we don't yet know. We're going to continue this on, we may have to look at the time and the funding for that."

The 16 locations the city has chosen to do 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.