There is Spring Cleaning and Then There is…Spring Cleaning!

Last Saturday’s roadside cleanup at Avalonia’s Pike Marshall Preserve in Ledyard was an unmitigated success, measured in volume of garbage removed and, just as importantly, fellowship created! Three hardy souls from Avalonia’s Ledyard Town Committee braved the unseasonably cold ( I’ll say it,  bone-chilling) weather to remove trash from alongside Pumpkin Hill Road, which bisects the 272 acre preserve. Over a two hour period, they collected seven large bags of trash, including such treasures as a lanyard with house and car keys, an audio cassette, 260 empty nip bottles, uncounted larger alcohol containers, and many Dunkin’, McDonald’s, and other plastic drink cups and straws. Interestly, there were an undue number of car parts to include: sideview mirrors, mud flaps, a Nissan front grill, a mostly complete exhaust system to a Ford truck, and a large leaf spring. The total weight of the haul was estimated at 175 pounds upon delivery to the Ledyard Transfer Station!

While picking up garbage isn’t glamorous and is seemingly endless, working together on a worthy cause was enjoyable and it was gratifying to leave the area in better condition than it was found!