Sustainable Shores Small Acts Clean Shores Stronger Together

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Welcome to our Sustainable Shores journal! Follow ThriveAbility Community Connections as we care for our local parks and shorelines, reduce litter and build connections through community action. With support from the City of Mississauga, our goal is to double what we collected last year and remove 800 pounds of garbage while giving adults with developmental disabilities opportunities to contribute, learn and take pride in their community. Our 2026 cleanup season was planned to begin in April, with cleanups every other week through October. Below, we’re documenting our progress, photos and highlights throughout the season.

Location: Port Credit Memorial Park

Today, ThriveAbility’s Thursday group focused on the riverbank at Port Credit Memorial Park, where community members gather to fish and enjoy nature. With garbage piling up around the rocks and along the shoreline, our Thrivers got to work clearing as much as they could. It was alarming to see plastic bags, food containers, bait cans, beer cans and disposable coffee cups discarded in the water and wedged between the rocks, especially with garbage bins available throughout the park. It was sad to see this beautiful space treated this way, but the Thrivers had it covered! In a short time, they removed three full bags of garbage, leaving the riverbank cleaner for everyone to enjoy.
Cleanup time: 2.5 hours
Total weight of garbage collected: 43 lbs

Location: B Machree Park – Waterfront Trail

Today was a very special day for our Sustainable Shores team! Thanks to a grant from the City of Mississauga, we were able to purchase our very own Sustainable Shores safety vests for the Thrivers, along with new cleanup equipment and additional safety supplies. The funding also allowed us to purchase extra vests for community volunteers who wish to join our cleanup days and participate in a work-integrated volunteer learning experience alongside our Thrivers, student leaders and staff. Our Thursday Thrivers proudly wore their new Sustainable Shores vests and Ambassador badges for the first time as we headed along the Waterfront Trail at B Machree Park. Equipped with our new litter pickers and cleanup supplies, the team spread out across the park and trail to collect garbage from the surrounding green spaces and waterfront. The new high-visibility vests made a noticeable difference in keeping everyone safe, organized and easily identifiable as our teams divided up the cleanup areas. By the end of our cleanup period, we had removed several bags of garbage while putting our new equipment to great use! It was a proud milestone for our Sustainable Shores initiative and another valuable opportunity for the Thrivers to develop teamwork, leadership, environmental responsibility and practical work skills while giving back to their community.
Cleanup time: 2 hours
Total weight of garbage collected: 47 lbs

Event: Credit Valley Conservation – Outstanding Volunteer Award
Recognition: Sustainable Shores Program – ThriveAbility

Today was a proud and memorable day for ThriveAbility! Our Sustainable Shores initiative received the Outstanding Volunteer Award from Credit Valley Conservation (CVC), recognizing our efforts to protect the Credit River, clean up local shorelines and contribute to a healthier environment.

Our very own Kaedin Brindley proudly accepted the award on behalf of ThriveAbility and the Sustainable Shores team, receiving a Certificate of Recognition and a beautiful commemorative award. This recognition is especially meaningful because it celebrates the hard work and contributions of our Thrivers, demonstrating how individuals with developmental disabilities can make a real difference in their community while developing valuable skills in teamwork, leadership and environmental responsibility. A special thank you to Credit Valley Conservation for this honour and Councillor Stephen Dasko for the nomination. This award belongs to every Thriver, student leader, staff member and volunteer who has contributed to Sustainable Shores!

Small Actions. Cleaner Shores. Stronger Together.

Location: Saddington Park – Lake Ontario Shoreline

Today our Sustainable Shores team headed to Saddington Park for an extensive shoreline cleanup along Lake Ontario. Our Thrivers divided into teams, with some working throughout the park while others focused directly on the rocky shoreline, where large amounts of garbage had become trapped between rocks, driftwood and dense vegetation. Working carefully along the water's edge, our teams removed bags of litter, plastic bottles, food containers, grilling parafernalia and other discarded waste that could have otherwise been washed into Lake Ontario. This was a particularly important part of our cleanup, as much of the garbage was hidden in areas that are difficult to access and often overlooked. After two hours of hard work, our Thrivers collectively removed over 68 lbs of garbage! It was an incredibly productive day that demonstrated teamwork, leadership, environmental responsibility and the importance of protecting our local waterways.

Another outstanding effort by our Sustainable Shores team, making a visible difference in keeping Lake Ontario's shoreline clean!

Cleanup Time: 3 hours
Total Weight of Garbage Collected: 68 lbs

Location: Saddington Park – Mouth of the Credit River

On this hot summer day, our Thrivers didn't let the heat slow them down! With determination, teamwork and a shared commitment to protecting our environment, our Sustainable Shores team returned to Saddington Park to continue cleaning the beach and rocky shoreline where the Credit River meets Lake Ontario. We discovered a significant buildup of litter along the beach where swans and ducks frequently gather, as well as garbage scattered around popular fishing spots along the river and lake. Our Thrivers divided into teams and worked together to remove plastic bottles, food containers, fishing-related waste and other litter from the shoreline, helping protect local wildlife and prevent garbage from entering the water. Despite the summer heat, everyone stayed focused and worked hard throughout the cleanup. In just one hour, our team successfully collected two full bags of garbage weighing a total of 31 lbs! Another productive day of environmental stewardship, perseverance and teamwork, showing how small actions can make a meaningful difference in keeping our waterfront clean and safe for both wildlife and our community.

Cleanup Time: 1.5 hours
Total Weight of Garbage Collected: 31 lbs

Location: Saddington Park – Forested Areas & Creek

Today our Sustainable Shores team returned to Saddington Park, this time focusing on the forested areas and creek that run through the park. Our Thrivers ventured beyond the main walking trails to search for litter hidden throughout the wooded areas, dense vegetation and along the creek banks.

We discovered a significant amount of plastic waste scattered throughout the forest, including bottles, food packaging, plastic bags and other discarded garbage. Some of the most concerning litter was found directly in the creek, where plastic waste had accumulated in the water and surrounding vegetation, posing a threat to local wildlife and the health of our waterways.

Our Thrivers divided into teams and spent two hours carefully scouring the creek and surrounding forest, removing as much waste as possible while working together to keep these natural areas clean.

By the end of our cleanup, the team had successfully collected three full bags of garbage weighing an impressive 51 lbs! Another fantastic effort demonstrating teamwork, perseverance and environmental responsibility while helping prevent plastic pollution from travelling downstream into the larger ponds. 

Cleanup Time: 2.5 hours
Total Weight of Garbage Collected: 51 lbs

Location: Saddington Park – Lake Ontario Shoreline

Today our Sustainable Shores team returned to Saddington Park to continue cleaning the rocky shoreline along Lake Ontario. Our Thrivers focused on areas surrounding the waterfront beach & picnic tables, large rock formations and dense vegetation, where litter can easily become trapped and go unnoticed.

Working in small teams, our Thrivers carefully navigated the uneven shoreline, using their litter pickers to collect discarded waste from between the rocks, around driftwood and throughout the surrounding bushes. These areas are particularly important to maintain, as garbage left along the water's edge can easily be carried into Lake Ontario by wind, rain and rising water levels.

Our Thrivers demonstrated great teamwork, determination and attention to safety while working through some of the more challenging areas of the shoreline, removing full 3 bags of waste. The cleanup also provided valuable hands-on experience in following instructions, working cooperatively and taking responsibility for protecting our local environment. 

Cleanup Time: 2 hours
Total Weight of Garbage Collected: 55 lbs

Location: Rhododendron Gardens – Park and Beach Cleanup

Today, our Sustainable Shores team returned to Rhododendron Gardens to finish the cleanup we began the previous week. Our Thrivers covered the entire park, collecting litter throughout the grounds before making their way down to the beach to complete the job. Everyone did an amazing job, putting care and effort into clearing trash from both the park and shoreline. The team worked together to cover the area thoroughly, supporting one another and staying focused until the whole beach was cleared of litter. Together, we collected 49 lbs of garbage, leaving the park and beach cleaner for the community to enjoy. Our Thrivers continue to demonstrate pride in Sustainable Shores through their hard work, teamwork and commitment to caring for our local environment.

Cleanup Time: 2.5 hours

Total Weight of Garbage Collected: 49 lbs

Location: Richard's Park

Today, our Sustainable Shores team visited Richards Park where our group divided and conqured (some thrivers worked within the park and others worked focused on the beach). Our Team on the beach found a substantial amount of garbage scattered along the shoreline. We collected discarded food containers, glass bottles, metal cans, plastic bottles, clothing and numerous other pieces of metal and plastic waste. Our Thrivers worked carefully to remove the debris, showing teamwork and determination as they helped restore the beach. The amount and variety of litter were a clear reminder of why regular shoreline cleanups matter. The swans sharing this habitat were a meaningful reminder of who benefits from our efforts. These shorelines are home to wildlife that depends on a clean environment. Removing litter helps reduce hazards such as broken glass, sharp metal and plastic that animals could swallow or become entangled in.

We are proud of the care our Thrivers put into Sustainable Shores and their commitment to protecting the waterfront for wildlife and our community.

Cleanup Time: 2.5 hours
Total Weight of Garbage Collected: 59 lbs

2026 Sustainable Shores – Celebrating Our Impact and Looking Ahead

We began this year’s Sustainable Shores season with an ambitious goal: remove 800 lbs of garbage from our local parks, beaches and shorelines. We are proud to finish the season having surpassed that goal, collecting 824 lbs across 20 cleanups and 37.5 hours of hands-on cleanup work!

Behind that total are months of effort from our Thrivers. They searched tall grasses, collected litter around picnic areas, reached between shoreline rocks and ventured into forested spaces to remove waste that could easily have gone unnoticed. Every cleanup helped leave our waterfront cleaner for the community and the wildlife that calls it home. Throughout the season, our Thrivers strengthened their teamwork, communication and practical work skills while taking pride in their contributions. Their enthusiasm, persistence and willingness to support one another made this achievement possible.

Thank you to our Thrivers, staff, student leaders and volunteers, and to the City of Mississauga for supporting Sustainable Shores. This year’s success has inspired us to aim even higher: our goal for 2027 is to collect 1,000 lbs of garbage! We look forward to building on our progress and continuing to care for our shared outdoor spaces together.

2026 Goal: 800 lbs
Total Garbage Collected: 824 lbs
Goal Exceeded By: 24 lbs
Total Cleanups: 20
Total Cleanup Time: 37.5 hours
2027 Goal: 1,000 lbs

Small Acts. Clean Shores. Stronger Together.