It was a crisp winter day, with a sunny blue sky, perfect for a jaunt in Hancock Woods on Christmas/Hanukkah morning. With snow underfoot I followed the trail - so quiet and wooded it's more like Vermont than an urban woodland. As I treked across the open field I was dismayed to come upon an enormous expanse of garbage so thick it was at every step: beer cans (I stopped counting at 250), liquor bottles, nips, plastic water bottles, wrappings from toe and hand warmers, a few single gloves, a Christmas hat. All of it strewn around a well-used fire pit. I can understand kids wanting to party in the woods, but I cannot fathom the complete disregard for nature by trashing this beautiful refuge. I immediately started cleaning up with the few available tossed bags but these were quickly filled. I was so upset I went home to return with 6 large garbage bags. I spent 2 hours filling them leaving the area mostly cleared, though when the snow melts inevitably there will be more. I've since been in touch with Department Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to discuss the incident. They will remove the bags, but there must be something to be done about educating people about 'leaving no trace' by disposing trash properly. I would be interested to hear if anyone has some ideas.
