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LETTER: Message to dog owners on Mountain Station Trail: Clean up!

Dog owner says she wants to be part of the solution
10190475_web1_copy_SKITRAIL

I am a cross country skier with a dog. As such, I am incredibly grateful to the RDCK, the Nelson Nordic Ski Club and to the family who track set the rail trail from Mountain Station out to the highway at Cottonwood. This is a remarkable recreation opportunity! The rail trail is used by hundreds of locals every day: skiers, walkers, little kids and lots of dogs. I give thanks to the family every time I go out and I’ve tried to figure out how to thank them; once I left a small donation and thank-you note on their sled. On Christmas Day, I had the good fortune to meet one of the family members on the tracks. I asked about how to give back, and here’s what they said: “Please pick up after your dogs. That’s all. But please do it.” Oh, boy! That hit home – I try to pick up but sometimes my dog gets busy playing with other dogs and I’m skiing ahead. S##t happens. Then I remembered the words of a close friend who used to live below the tracks. She said: “All that poo that gets left on the tracks trickles downhill in springtime and leaches into our gardens.” Ooh! That’s disgusting. So I’ve made a commitment to pick up after my dog. I’ve bought bags so I’ll have some even if the city’s stash is empty. I always bring 2-3 bags to cover my dog’s typical contribution. If I don’t use them all or I think I may have missed one, I’ll pick up a clump from another dog. Sadly, there’s no shortage, but maybe that can change. I want to be part of the solution! In addition to showing respect daily, I think we need a spring clean-up on the dog paths in town, where we do a blitz and pick up everything that’s been covered in snow for the winter. I’ve heard other people talking about this so let’s make something happen. I hope you’ll join me - let’s do our part! We don’t pay to use the rail trail. Let’s thank the track setters by cleaning up our collective act!

Ruth Beck,

Nelson