by John Burwell
Many thanks to all the volunteers that participated in the Extreme Clean in Pinehurst Saturday. It went very well and as usual, I thought there wouldn’t be very much trash, yet volunteers came back with bags full of it. A dozen volunteers collected 17 bags of trash, one bag filled to the top with recyclable items as well as freeing trees of invasive english ivy.
We had 7 pre-registered volunteers and 5 walk-ups. One passerby related his experience once while cleaning up in the Park, he found a $100 bill amongst the debris. He even had the ‘good luck’ folded bill, took it out of his wallet and threw down on the ground in a dramatic flourish. Karma!
Volunteers covered the Pinehurst Tributary from Western Ave to Beach Drive, along Aberfoyle Place and Beech Street, Oregon Ave from Wise Road to Tennyson Street as well as Wise Road. Several non-venomous harmless Northern Water snakes were seen by one volunteer.
I checked the area Sunday and added to our final pile a roll of construction plastic fencing and a 4×4 post. Nearby, a young family of 5 came out of the Park carrying a bag of trash. They told me they do this every week and remarked there seemed to be less trash this week – yes of course, thanks to our efforts.
I appreciate everyone putting their lives on hold for a few hours to clean our urban treasure!
