Overflowing Garbage at Quarry Lake Raises Safety Concerns

What’s Happening? Overflowing bins and garbage bags piled on the ground were spotted at Quarry Lake on July 2—right beside a sign warning about bear safety. Visitors and locals alike slammed the mess on Facebook, calling it disrespectful and dangerous.

Wait—Where’s Quarry Lake? Just a few minutes up Spray Lakes Road from downtown Canmore, Quarry Lake is one of the town’s most beloved spots. It’s home to grassy picnic areas, walking trails, and an off-leash dog park. On hot summer days, it draws everyone from local families to Calgary day-trippers looking for a more laid-back alternative to Banff.

Pack It In, Pack It Out. Locals were quick to point fingers: at tourists, lazy behaviour, Airbnbs, and the Town itself. Some claimed this problem has been going on for years. Others noted that just down the trail, a larger bin sat empty—suggesting the issue isn’t just infrastructure, but effort.

Bearly Avoidable. The timing couldn’t be worse. Just one day earlier, a bear warning was issued for the nearby Grassi Lakes and Reclaimer trails due to increased black bear activity. Piling garbage next to a busy lake—and right beside forested bear habitat—is a serious safety risk.

What’s the Fix? Locals suggested a mix of bigger bins, better signage, more patrols, and public education. Some even proposed fines for dumping next to full bins. Others questioned if long weekend crowds simply overwhelmed the usual trash pickup schedule. Either way, the takeaway is clear: if the bin is full, take your trash home.

Not Just a Canmore Problem. This issue isn’t unique to Quarry Lake—or even to Canmore. Almost exactly one year ago, the Town of Banff had to remind residents not to leave garbage next to bins, after trash was found spilling out near Beaver Street. And get this: that location already had twice-daily pickups, seven days a week. There was still room in the bin, but people left their garbage beside it anyway.

The warning back then was crystal clear: dumped trash is a wildlife attractant. It can bring carnivores into town, putting both animals and people at risk. And when that happens, it’s usually the animals that pay the price.

Whether it's Quarry Lake or downtown Banff, the story is the same: bins can’t solve bad behaviour.

What Do You Think?

Drop your thoughts below—what’s the fix?