People using Windsor's path system may soon find relief from a common nuisance.
Using surplus funding from its operating budget, Windsor City Council approved a plan Monday night to use $75,000 to purchase a device designed to clean up the droppings left behind by the city's prominent Canada goose population.
The machine will be a sweeper that can easily fit onto paths and trails which are used by walkers and joggers across the city.
Mayor Drew Dilkens says they've been hearing from residents about the landmines these birds are leaving behind, and it's been a growing problem for some time.
"There's been an increased issue over the last several years with respect to Canada geese and the droppings that they leave along the riverfront paths in particular," says Dilkens. "Then there are places elsewhere in the city as well where there are other problems of the same cause."
Dilkens says this machine will enable city staff to make daily passes over the more popular paths in the city to clean up the droppings. The work will likely be done by one of the city's summer student employees.
The mayor understands that Canada geese are part of the fabric of Windsor, and with that comes the nuisance.
"I think everyone appreciates how lovely they are, but there's a bad side to them and we're going to take care of the bad side the best we can," says Dilkens.