Beach City clean-up preserves a local climbing spot
Everyone is invited to the Ohio Climbers Coalition's Adopt-a-Crag event. Volunteers are asked to wear closed-toe shoes and bring gloves and safety glasses if available.
For the second year in a row, volunteers will come together to spend the day cleaning up the area in and around Dundee Falls in the Beach City recreational areas. The Adopt-a-Crag event is scheduled for Saturday, April 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Norm Swann is the Northern Ohio stewardship director of the Ohio Climbers Coalition, the organization spearheading the clean-up efforts.
"We promote climbing access, and once we have access, we take care of areas where we climb," Swann said. "We call this stewardship of the land."
This stewardship is carried out by holding Adopt-a-Crag events as well as practicing what Swann calls "leave no trace principals," which include picking up litter on the way in and out to climb and reporting any issues they run into to the proper personnel.
Climbing areas are supported through the country by similar Adopt-a-Crag projects. The Ohio group has at least four additional events in the works scheduled throughout the state in the coming year.
The Beach City event will take place on Ohio Division of Wildlife property. There also may be some additional litter pick-up at the Muskingum Watershed Conservation District property.
After receiving permission to climb in the areas two years ago, the OCC scheduled its first Adopt-a-Crag event.
"Last year's event was a big success," Swann said.
Volunteers tackled such issues as graffiti removal, stone stair construction and extensive litter pick-up including the removal of old tires.
Projects planned for this year include the removal of graffiti from both rock surfaces and trees. "We will also do a little work to improve the stone stairs that were built by the big cliffs last year," Swann said. "And we plan on building another set of stairs on the far side of the big cliffs."
According to Swann, a lot of the area is in a flood plain that floods several times a year. When the water recedes, it leaves litter in its wake.
There also will be final handwork to be done by volunteers to improve the Camp Road parking area. The OCC has funded $400 worth of gravel, and the Division of Wildlife matched that amount with an additional $400.
"Bill Fender, Wayne County trustee, has volunteered to help out again this year," Swann said. "Last year he hauled the litter and old tires away."
In a perfect world, clean-up of natural areas would not be needed. "Be respectful when you use an area," Swann said. "Leave no trace. Pack out what you bring in, and if you want to take it a step further, pack out what other people leave behind."
Anyone who wishes to volunteer is invited to join in the clean-up activities. There are no age restrictions; however, children must be accompanied by responsible adults. There is a volunteer waiver that must be signed prior to participation. Waivers can be printed out ahead of time and brought to the event, or they will be available on site that day. Waivers are available on the Ohio Climbers Coalition website at www.ohioclimberscoalition.org.
All volunteers are invited to stay for a cookout at Camp Buckeye after the event. There will be hot dogs and hamburgers provided by local gyms. Participants may bring a side dish if they wish.
Parking on Camp Road is limited, so participants are asked to park in the lot off Dundee Wilmot Road and join a car pool to the Camp Road parking area.
For those not familiar with the area, it's recommended to print the map of the Beach City wildlife area from the web at www.wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/.
For more information about the Ohio Climbers Coalition, visit www.ohioclimberscoalition.org, find them on Facebook or email Swann at norm@ohioclimberscoalition.org.