MnGCA

[AerosmithPA]

What kind of experiences do members have with their local geocaching groups adopting parks or stretches of highway for the purpose of trash clean up? Is there any unexpected obstacles you have run across when you get your group set up, or is it all pretty straight forward as you planned it?

I think roadside/park clean up is a fantastic idea for getting cachers together for fun and positive PR for our activity.

[Hunter-Killer]

I know, for our group, it was securing a section of road close to town. The closest we could get was 45 minutes away, as all other sections were claimed by various groups. which was a deterrent to getting a large group out, The second problem was age. Many people had hoped to bring their kids out to help, but our MTO does not allow anyone, I believe under 16 to be out cleaning up the highway. The third problem was training had to be provided, on site by one person who went through a crash course on safety, prior to beginning the cleanup and then there was getting donations for the proper gloves and high visibility vests, The bags were provided by the MTO and they would come and pick up the trash, but you will be picking up some of the most foul things a human can excrete, along with the usual broken glass, tin cans, tires etc, so just be prepared, it is amazing how many adult diapers and bottles with urine are in ditches. We started off fairly good then interest slowed down, and for whatever reasons, so far we have not had a cleanup this year. Local citos at parks are more family oriented and the kids can participate, and not be subjected to the gross stuff.