KAWARTHA LAKES- Volunteers attempting to Take Back the Beach at Garnet Graham Park in Fenelon Falls say the geese are winning!
Volunteers have been picking up fifteen or so pounds of goose droppings every day and it’s taking it’s toll with some reporting sore backs from bending over to scoop, and injured wrists from holding onto large bags of droppings in one hand for so long. “People are coming back to the beach now” a city staffer from the parks and rec division says and the volunteers are happy to hear that but they are calling for more pooper scoopers.
“The geese are winning” Gay Fletcher, the organizer of Take Back the Beach says, “So far this season we were able to keep up with the cleanup, however, recently it has become overwhelming”. In the past the team has focused on the beach area, but with the new splash pad, the other end of the beach will need to be a priority too, adding, even more, work for the small group of volunteers.
The efforts of the group has lead to cleaner water and fewer beach closures.
Organizers say everyone has a role to play in keeping the water clean.
If you are walking by and see the geese, shoo them away.
If you are at the beach and see a volunteer picking up goose droppings, offer to help.
If you plan on spending some time at the beach, bring a small shovel and a plastic bag and dispose of any droppings you see.
And they are looking for more volunteers. If you have an hour a week you could commit to helping pick up the droppings please contact Gay Fletcher at 705-887-3516 or [email protected]
An information meeting for potential volunteers will be held at the beach gazebo (near the Museum) June 29th at 7pm.
Just a couple of ideas re: goose poo in Fenelon… Could you not duct tape a slotted kitty litter scoop to a broom handle to pick it up from the sand without bending over? There are also long handled dustpans that can be used as well. Line a cardboard box or small waste pail with a clear garbage bag and adapt it to a folding grocery cart or dolly or wagon that could be pulled to a spot and then to another area to avoid carrying a heavy bag? The bag could then be removed, tied up and another added as needed. There are also dustpans on long handles that could be used as well. There should be no reason to bend over often or carry heavy bags in one hand. Disposable gloves should also be used to avoid contamination.