The Student Park Stewardship Program was created in response to a recurring challenge that Councillor Rowena Santos has seen firsthand: keeping Brampton’s parks clean in Wards 1 & 5. Despite numerous cleanup efforts, litter continues to be a problem in many green spaces. The solution? A shared commitment from everyone in the community—especially students—to respect our environment and take action against pollution in our parks, forests, and waterways.
Earlier this spring, more than 300 students joined a Santos Youth Council park cleanup near a local high school. Just days later, litter had returned. According to the City of Brampton’s Parks team, litter in that same park drops by over 50% during the summer, pointing to the influence nearby schools can have on the cleanliness of public spaces.
That’s why Councillor Santos is teaming up with local schools to involve students directly in the solution. The goal is simple but powerful: encourage all students in Wards 1 & 5 to regularly take part in park cleanups. The hope is that students who actively help clean up their environment are less likely to litter—and more likely to inspire their peers to do the same.
The first school to join the program is David Suzuki Secondary School, thanks to the leadership of Principal Sharron Kuhl. Nineteen students signed up for the first park stewardship event, earning volunteer hours and sharing valuable ideas on how to shape the program into a student-led initiative. Councillor Santos says, “There’s no better opportunity for aspiring student leaders to step up and make a real difference for both our environment and our community.”
If your school is interested in joining the Student Park Stewardship Program, reach out to Councillor Santos at rowena.santos@brampton.ca. High school and middle school students are also encouraged to sign up below and stay informed about future volunteer opportunities near their schools.
Together, we can create a cleaner, greener Brampton—one park at a time.
Student Registration
We will keep you informed about opportunities at your school.
