Milton boy inspires community with trash cleanup mission

By: Mike Su, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Milton Reporter

A five-year-old boy from Milton is capturing attention for his dedication to keeping his community clean.

has spent the past three years voluntarily picking up litter in parks and public spaces, a habit he started at the age of two.

During a visit to Laurier Park, Lucas first noticed litter scattered across the grounds. Armed with determination and a grabber tool, he asked his mother, Jackelyn Chung, to join him in tidying up the park. Together, they filled almost an entire bag of trash in just 30 minutes.

The Chung family, who moved to Milton in 2013, was still new to the neighbourhood at the time. But Lucas quickly made it his mission to keep the area clean. He has gone out several times a month to collect trash, with his efforts ramping up during the summer. Over the years, Lucas has collected numerous bags of litter, mostly consisting of paper and empty cans.

This year, Lucas and Jackelyn expanded their efforts to the Coban community, as well as Leiterman Park and nearby trails.

“It’s amazing to see him so committed at such a young age,” said Jackelyn.

Despite his ambitions to one day become a firefighter, Lucas said he plans to continue his cleanup efforts, especially now that he has a better understanding of what can be recycled. He said he wants to make the parks enjoyable for everyone and hopes his classmates and friends will join him in keeping the environment clean.

While it’s currently just the two of them, Jackelyn noted that many people they encounter express appreciation for their work. She is now considering presenting her son’s efforts to Milton City Hall in the hopes of rallying broader community support for regular clean-up initiatives.

“Lucas has shown that one person, no matter their age, can make a big difference,” Jackelyn said. “And a group could achieve even more together.”

Lucas has become an inspiration in Milton, showing that anyone can lead the way in making a positive impact. He is setting an example for others to follow and proving that change often starts with one small step—or one small bag of trash.