A Barbie doll leg? The 2024 Gunflint Trail Clean-Up provides opportunities to improve the landscape and win a prize for finding unique items
Apr 30, 2024 11:32AM ● By Content Editor
Photo: Gunflint Trail Clean-Up
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - April 30, 2024
A Barbie doll leg, a half-used bottle of mayo, a portable RV/camp toilet, one mile of fishing line wrapped amongst trees, broken dishes...these items may seem completely random, but they have one thing in common: they were found along the road during the 2023 Gunflint Trail Clean-Up event.
Andrea Hofeldt, co-owner of Loon Lake Lodge and one of the event organizers, told Boreal Community Media that 87 people (divided into teams) cleaned up those seemingly random items last year, covering 50 of the 57 miles of the Gunflint Trail. Most teams collected at least two bags of garbage. For 2024, the goal is to have 100 people participate in the recently announced Saturday, June 8 event.
The event's goal is "To draw more community awareness and improve the natural landscape of the Gunflint Trail and surrounding BWCA lakes," according to the event website.
Related: How to reduce your waste with these Cook County resources and tips
Similar to last year, prizes will be awarded in different categories, which will be announced on Friday, June 7 during the registration bag pick-up (bags contain reflective vests, free t-shirts (until supplies last), garbage bags, etc). "Prizes were awarded for best team name (We Stash your Trash was last year's winning name), best team spirit, and most unique piece of trash," Hofeldt said. Prizes will also be awarded for the most unique item found, so participants are encouraged to take photos as they go.
After the pick-up, a "Trash Bash" will be held at the Schaap Community Center, and will include food for those who participated in the clean-up, family-friendly activities, trivia, and a chance to win prizes from various Gunflint Trail businesses.
Those interested in participating must sign up for a specific portion of the trail, which has been divided into 42 different sections, with most portions being 1-2 miles long. You or someone from your team must be able to pick up the registration packet on June 7, from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at the Schaap Community Center.
Important Clean-up Dates/Times
Registration Packet Pickup: June 7, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at the Schaap Community Center
Clean-up event: June 8, 9:00 am - 11:00 am (you must sign up for a section of the Gunflint Trail in advance)
Trash Bash: June 8, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm at the Schaap Community Center
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - April 30, 2024
A Barbie doll leg, a half-used bottle of mayo, a portable RV/camp toilet, one mile of fishing line wrapped amongst trees, broken dishes...these items may seem completely random, but they have one thing in common: they were found along the road during the 2023 Gunflint Trail Clean-Up event.
Andrea Hofeldt, co-owner of Loon Lake Lodge and one of the event organizers, told Boreal Community Media that 87 people (divided into teams) cleaned up those seemingly random items last year, covering 50 of the 57 miles of the Gunflint Trail. Most teams collected at least two bags of garbage. For 2024, the goal is to have 100 people participate in the recently announced Saturday, June 8 event.
The event's goal is "To draw more community awareness and improve the natural landscape of the Gunflint Trail and surrounding BWCA lakes," according to the event website.
Related: How to reduce your waste with these Cook County resources and tips
Similar to last year, prizes will be awarded in different categories, which will be announced on Friday, June 7 during the registration bag pick-up (bags contain reflective vests, free t-shirts (until supplies last), garbage bags, etc). "Prizes were awarded for best team name (We Stash your Trash was last year's winning name), best team spirit, and most unique piece of trash," Hofeldt said. Prizes will also be awarded for the most unique item found, so participants are encouraged to take photos as they go.
After the pick-up, a "Trash Bash" will be held at the Schaap Community Center, and will include food for those who participated in the clean-up, family-friendly activities, trivia, and a chance to win prizes from various Gunflint Trail businesses.
Those interested in participating must sign up for a specific portion of the trail, which has been divided into 42 different sections, with most portions being 1-2 miles long. You or someone from your team must be able to pick up the registration packet on June 7, from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at the Schaap Community Center.
Important Clean-up Dates/Times
Registration Packet Pickup: June 7, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm at the Schaap Community Center
Clean-up event: June 8, 9:00 am - 11:00 am (you must sign up for a section of the Gunflint Trail in advance)
Trash Bash: June 8, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm at the Schaap Community Center
