Adopt-A-Road

Why has the program been established?
The Regional Municipality of York's Adopt-A-Road Program was established as a public service program for volunteers to help maintain the Regional road rights-of-way free and clear of garbage and litter. It is a way for environmentally conscientious citizens or groups to make a contribution to a cleaner environment. Under the program, groups or individuals agree to adopt a section of road right-of-way and keep it clear of debris. In addition to a cleaner environment, the volunteer(s) are recognized through a sign erected by the Region acknowledging their efforts.

Who can participate in the Adopt-A-Road Program?
A group or individual may apply to the Region for an Adopt-A-Road program agreement. The Region will determine the eligibility of these groups or individuals that exhibit the desire to achieve the Adopt-A-Road objectives.

• Be at least 12 years old 
• Receive annual Region of York safety training prior to the first pick-up
  of the year, and review safety rules before each clean up 
• Provide at least one adult supervisor (19 years or older) for every
  five workers. 
• Always wear an approved safety vest 
• Display the "Road Work" sign before starting the clean-up and
  remove the sign when finished 
• Clean-up only one side of the road at a time and work towards oncoming traffic 
• Pick up litter during daylight hours ONLY
• Flag hazardous or unidentifiable objects for pick-up by
  Regional staff
• Place trash bags at the designated pick-up site(s)

• Walk, or pick up litter on the pavement, shoulder, or in the median 
• Work on bridges, overpasses, steep ground, or in tunnels 
• Walk across the pavement to switch sides 
• Touch or pick up hazardous items, or anything that cannot be identified

• Volunteers wishing to participate in the program must pick-up, complete, and submit the agreement to the Transportation
  Operations Centre. 
• Agreement forms can be picked up at:
  
  Roads Operations
  90 Bales Drive East, East Gwillimbury
  (North off Davis Drive just East of Woodbine Avenue)

• Think safety. There are a few simple rules that are worth remembering when it comes to safely working along the roadway. 
• All volunteers must review the rules before each clean-up session.

• Provide safety vests, "Road Work" signs, trash bags, safety information, training videos, flags, and traffic cones
• Erect signs with the group's name displayed at the beginning of each adopted section of road 
• Remove and dispose of filled trash bags
• Remove any and all flagged items 
• Monitor and ensure the objectives of the program are being met