Three mattresses, a motor and plenty of shell casings were some of the items picked up at the annual Carmi Mountain clean up on Saturday, Oct. 3.
“We hauled out one extremely full dump trailer, three mattresses, and two full pickups worth of garbage,” said Neda Joss, one of the organizers of the clean up.
Various sites along Beaverdell to the Carmi recreation trails were cleaned as well as the Carmi Rec Trails parking lot, the tobogganing area, and an old campsite on one of the trails.
“It’s a really great recreational site and it’s so frustrating that there are people out there dumping,” Joss said. Carmi Mountain is popular for hiking and biking trails, sledding and horseback riding. Joss said she has personally been hiking the trails for over five years.
A total of 18 people volunteered their time and their pick up trucks to help clean up.
“To see the response of people wanting to get out there and help. It gives me a positive outlook on the future,” she said.
“Thanks to Warren Lee Contracting for the use of the truck and trailer and thanks to the Upper Carmi Neighbourhood Association, South Okanagan Trail Alliance, Penticton Outdoor Club, and Penticton Adventurers Club for volunteering their time,” said Joss.
Carmi Mountain has long been a hot spot for people to dump their garbage and for bonfire parties and camping. The volunteers lifted up a tent and found a bunch of smashed RV windows, mattresses, floaties and lots of glass and garbage.
READ MORE: Trash dumped on Carmi Mountain
“Once again, this year there were lots of shotgun shells and cartriges left at the back of the Carmi rec trails site. The area is used for target practice but the people don’t clean up after themselves,” said Joss. “There is also a lot of broken glass as well which can be dangerous for dog’s paws.”
Organic material like tree cuttings as well as appliances, metal and even toys can be taken to the landfill, free of charge. There isn’t a reason to dump that stuff on Crown land, the group stressed.
monique.Tamminga@pentictonwesternnews.com
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