Volunteer Spotlight: Spring Cleanup at the Taylor Avenue Site

On April 10, 2026, OVCLT board secretary Karen Kirkwood-Whyte headed to the Taylor Avenue site for a hands-on spring cleanup. Armed with tongs and a garbage bag, Karen spent about an hour picking up debris and tidying the grounds — filling an entire bag in the process. It's this kind of dedication that keeps the future home of Common Ground looking welcoming for the surrounding neighbourhood.

This kind of grassroots volunteer effort is at the heart of what makes Opportunity Villages Community Land Trust special. While the organization works toward developing attainable housing on the 10-acre property in Chatham-Kent, board members and volunteers regularly pitch in to maintain the site and show respect for the community that will one day call it home.

"It's important that we take care of this land," says OVCLT. "Our neighbours deserve to see a site that's well-maintained, and it's a reflection of the pride we take in this project."

The Taylor Avenue property is the future site of Common Ground, OVCLT's flagship attainable housing development that will bring permanently attainable homeownership opportunities to Chatham-Kent, Ontario. The community land trust model ensures that homes remain attainable for generations — not just the first buyer.

Interested in volunteering with OVCLT? Whether it's site maintenance, fundraising, or lending your professional expertise, there's a place for you. Visit our volunteer page to learn more about how you can contribute to attainable housing in Southwestern Ontario.