Parkour is a beautiful thing, but the landscapes we use are public domain, and they are not only there for us.  Where I train in Hamilton, it is a city renowned for its pollution and smog.  One particular training spot is in the heart of downtown, and is some of the worst areas in terms of broken glass, random crap sprawled around, and just a general and unpleasant view.  Even the nearby parks are in terrible shape.  These aren't areas that are secluded.  Our training ground is also the practice ground for skaters, bikers, rollerbladers, runners, the homes of the homeless, shopping centres for the middle class, a place to leisurely walk for the elderly.

As I'm leaving Hamilton soon, I want to leave it in a better state than it was in when I walked into it.  I want the Parkour community here remembered for not just being some kids who fucked around on the structures, or even dedicated athletes, but also a positive force in the city; a positive force for the youth and an asset to Hamilton's culture.  What I propose is that sometime during the month of April, since more people, traceurs or otherwise, get outside and enjoy the weather and enjoy the environment, we should try to make it a better place for all of these people.  One weekend in April, I will be getting together the Hamilton traceurs, ready with gloves and a whole lot of garbage bags, we're going to pick up all the litter in our downtown training spot, from the mall to the library to the city hall, court of justice, and park.  We will go so far as to pick up individual shards of glass, because they're simply dangerous.  And once every trace has been cleaned, then we'll jam and have a great time.

I want April to be the month that traceurs all over the world make their communities a better place for everyone.  I would love to hear stories from each of your communities, see pictures, watch videos.  With no reward of recognition, no acknowledge for what we have done, let us go in and help our communities out.  Let us be useful.  Let us use our abilities to climb to the lesser scene corners of our cities, and even clean those up, because they collect garbage like magnets!  And for a month, let us unite in this initiative, and be a global community, and make the entire world a better place for all who would enjoy the outdoors this spring and summer.

Please spread this to as many communities as possible.  Thank you.

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Animus
Parkour North America

Of course, but it's easier to get people motivated to do something at a particular time.   I'd really love to see April come around every year, and so traceurs gather together, and as a unit, make the world a better place.  It'd be a beautiful sight.

This is a great idea.
If we let the media know, and wear our PK shirts/attire we might generate some great PR as well!

I think that's the idea. If you don't promote/advertise it in some sense, no one is going to know who did it. So they'll be thankful, but they'll have no idea it was the traceurs. So while it is the right thing to do, it won't gain you any leverage or popularity without everyone knowing who it is.

Mega good idea :] You shall have my trash picker upper pointy stick thing!

This is a brilliant idea. Should have thought about it long ago. I'll be leading a few of these at virginia tech now!!! When I'm home for the summer I'll run a few here as well.

Thank you Animus for the suggestion!

I guess the difference is that the security at my places know who I am and what I do, so when they see me and my community on the security footage, at least they'll know that it is traceurs who are doing good.  So, whatever you can do to spread a good message and let everyone know who we are, it's a plus.

My feelings exactly.