Protecting the Great Outdoors
By: Katrina Irwin
Updated: June 20, 2008
With summer officially beginning this weekend, many will soon be taking advantage of all our area has to offer.
That includes local campgrounds, parks, beaches, and many other outdoor destinations.
But we have to be careful not to hurt our precious resources.
The Hamlin Beach State Park is a place where many come to spend the warm summer days. But keep in mind, it's up to everyone to keep this natural resource as green as it is.
"We have recycle bins out at the end of each camping loop and if they could just utilize those, all their containers, plastics metals etc. It would help with the sustainability effort," says Marty Howden. He is the Facilities Manager out at Hamlin Beach State Park.
Campers are encouraged to use dumpsters and recycling bins and in the day-use area of the park it's carry-in, carry-out. "It's been in place for a number of years and people do partake in that. They take their garbage out with them as a rule, sometimes things are left over in the morning but it's not as bad as you might think," says Howden.
Not only are parks across the state urging campers to be responsible, at Hamlin Beach they are also doing some things on their own.
"All our cleaning products are green, all our paper products are recycled, are fleet is run with recycled oil," Howden adds.
They also have three of these electric cars. The cleaning staff uses them to go around to different areas of the park. "We have put about 5,000 miles on each one of the cars." It's a go green effort, parks all around the state are also joining in. "We're really making a concerted effort. We've planted trees to help out with carbon offsets. Also, there is less mowing which decreases our dependency on oil."
