Port Coquitlam wants you to get your hands dirty.
Rather, the city is showing off how its workers get their hands dirty at an open house of its public works yard (1737 Broadway St.) on Saturday, May 25,
The event is the local highlight of a nationwide celebration of public works week that celebrates the work of the people who keep the water running, toilets flushing and roads in good repair.
In Port Coquitlam, for instance, sanitation workers collect garbage, green waste and recycling from more than 13,000 single family homes. Horticulturalists plant more than 14,000 bulbs and annuals in over 32,000 sq. m. of garden beds and traffic department workers ensure 3,000 street lights and 54 traffic signals remain in working order.
Saturday’s open house, that runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., features displays and demonstrations of Port Coquitlam’s heavy equipment like garbage trucks, backhoes and snowploughs as well as hands-on information areas about each area of the city’s public works department like waste collection, roads and sidewalks, sewer and water and parks, trails and public spaces.
There will also be free kids’ activities like buggy rides, flower planting and a chance to be pulled along by a tractor. Parents can also collect free compost for their gardens — just bring your own container.
“The open house is intended to raise awareness about the public works services that residents use every day,” said a statement on the city’s website.
And if all that digging and hoeing raises your appetite, the event also features a BBQ by donation, with proceeds going to SHARE Family and Community Services.
