Grade 10 student Benjamin Klein-Beekman was extremely disappointed with the amount of garbage that needed to be cleared on Claymore Road just near the Qualicum Fish Hatchery.
The Ballenas Secondary student organized a cleanup of the area on Sunday, April 24 and due to the magnitude of the task, they will need more time to continue the task.
Volunteers from the Rotary Club, back country hunters and anglers, Ballenas students and teachers along with Parksville Qualicum MLA Adam Walker came out to lend a hand. They also got help from local businesses and individuals who brought their trucks, excavators and loaders.
“I’m happy with how everything went today, but very disappointed with the amount of mess,” said Klein-Beekman.
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The job was so huge Klein-Beekman said they plan to finish cleaning up the area by going back on May 15. He pointed out there was a myriad of trash strewn all over the place that include tires, appliances, old barbecue grills, furnitures, wood, metals, an abandoned travel trailer, cardboards, used needles and empty methadone containers.
The total amount of trash that were taken out is still undetermined. They loaded 43 tires that were taken to OK Tire for dismounting and recycling. There were also a bin full of metals that were hauled out.
Klein-Beekman organized the cleanup after seeing the area being used as an illegal dump site. He discovered it with his father during their trips along the logging road.
“I’m just really sick and tired of seeing it, so I decided I want to do something about it,” said Klein-Beekman, who at first planned to do it with just a couple of his close friends. But more people joined the effort.
“I am only hoping that we can stop further garbage dumping on these roads.”