Plastic foliage should never be considered a permanent outdoor fixture. This is evident around 529 Wellington Steakhouse where their fake plastic trees are deteriorating and scattering plastic litter throughout the neighbourhood.

On April 4th, 2026, I went for a walk and noticed the extent of the problem. As the snow was melting, it was immediately apparent that thousands of these white plastic leaves had fallen off and blown away throughout the winter months. These leaves were scattered very far and wide, visible on surrounding boulevards, properties, and within nearby Munson Park—  some leaves were even spotted multiple blocks away on Palk Rd.

The following day, on April 5th, my partner and I spent an afternoon picking up ~800 of these leaves, and we hardly made a dent. A few days later, I returned again and collected more. A month later on May 8th, 2026, I walked by again and was dismayed to see that 529 Wellington had failed to extensively clean up the area. There were still hundreds of these leaves blown into the bushes across the street along the Saint Mary's Academy property line.

Despite speaking directly to the Operations Manager at WOW! Hospitality Concepts on April 4th, submitting reports to 311 Winnipeg, and following up on these reports, as of mid-July, these 6 fake plastic trees remain installed in their parking lot. These decorative fixtures have clearly deteriorated from weather exposure. It is apparent by their sparse "branches" that thousands of these plastic leaves have blown off and will continue to blow off until they are removed.

This isn’t just a cosmetic concern about not liking litter; Plastic pollution is toxic in our environment. As plastic degrades, it leeches microplastics and hazardous chemicals into waterways and soil, which is a health risk to wildlife and disrupts the microbiome. It is essential to remove these fake plastic trees promptly, as every windy day is another chance for more plastic litter to be strewn into the environment.

Let's urge 529 Wellington Steakhouse and WOW! Hospitality Concepts to lead by example in fostering a greener and cleaner neighbourhood. There are natural, eco-friendly options available that will benefit everyone. Real trees and plants enrich the environment, provide shelter for wildlife, provide oxygen, improve air quality, and can enhance the neighbourhood's aesthetic without the polluting downside of plastic alternatives.

Please sign this petition to demand removal of these fake plastic trees and promote sensible environmental stewardship in our city.

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not"
- The Lorax