Metro Vancouver woman highlights dangers of glass shards by collecting them from local beach
A Port Moody woman is fed up with what she calls a dangerous problem on her local beach, so she took matters into her own hands.
Sylvia Swan, a long-time Port Moody resident, regularly swims at Old Orchard Park beach and when she does, she often finds shards of glass.
“It’s pathetic the city hasn’t done anything about this problem,” she said.
Swan said she’s always picked up the shards and thrown them in the garbage, but it was only in the past few days that she’s been collecting the shards and labelling each container with how many pieces are found each day.
She said she and other swimmers have found between 60 and 90 each time.
“We’re trying to get as many as we can so hopefully we can make a dent in the situation, but the situation is when the tide comes in twice a day, it’s rolling the glass in with it,” she said.
Swan said she has had her foot cut by a piece of glass and doesn’t feel safe being barefoot in the sand.
She’s also witnessed children get cut while playing in the sand.
“It breaks my heart to see somebody trying to make a sand castle and they said, ‘Look, mummy, I found a shiny piece of glass.’ It just breaks my heart because we should be looking after them – that’s our job,” Swan said.
She also expresses concern for the wildlife which may inadvertently consume the glass.
Last week, the City of Port Moody launched a pilot project allowing public drinking at seven designated parks and beaches, including Old Orchard Park.
Swan is worried this will worsen the glass issue.
“The tide coming in can pick up a bottle and smash it on the rocks and they've got the same problem all over again with the glass,” she said.
Swan has met with a city staffer and wants to see immediate action taken.
Anna Mathewson, general manager of community services for the city, said they are taking the concerns seriously.
“Staff are following up on these concerns, some of which (like sand replenishment) are longer-term management actions,” Matthewson wrote in an email to CTV News Vancouver.
She said staff is also listening to Swan’s concerns about the public consumption of booze, adding they will be monitoring the locations of the pilot project closely.
“We will make adjustments as needed such as enhanced waste collection or additional signage or recycling bins at permitted sites,” she wrote.
Swan doesn't plan to stop picking up the shards until the city solves the issue.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
B.C. man used Bobcat as 'weapon' while chasing away homeless people, judge says
A B.C. man has been convicted of assault with a weapon after using a skid-steer Bobcat to chase two homeless people from his lawn, injuring one of them in the process.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
'Nobody should be getting away with murder': Grieving mother speaks out after son killed in North Preston, N.S.
A grieving mother is speaking out after her 36-year-old son was shot and killed in North Preston, N.S., Wednesday night.
Toronto-area dessert shop featured by Keith Lee forced to move after zoning complaint
A small Ajax dessert shop that recently received a glowing review from celebrity food critic Keith Lee is being forced to move after a zoning complaint was made following the social media influencer’s visit last month.