Flooding has affected several parts of Flinty’s Boardwalk, and as the water recedes there will be cleanup to do – but it won’t be part of a typical work bee.
A large stretch of boardwalk was submerged at the east side near the bridge. Another area near the stairs at the north side was flooded as of Aug. 3, due to significant rain fall and rising water levels in the area over the last month.
Dave Price of the Flinty Boardwalk Committee said he has never seen the water as high as it was last week.
“[Flooding] doesn’t happen every year, but the water level now is higher than I’ve seen it, and I’ve been involved with the committee since about 1998,” said Price.
“When there’s flooding, I take pictures of the flooded sections, so I have a record of what’s been flooded.
The water level has caused a level of concern regarding the bridge on the south side of the boardwalk. Price said that if the water level continues to rise, the birdge will lift.
When the water does recede, organic material and garbage left on the trail will have to be cleared. Price has suggested that instead of holding a formal work bee, those who use the trail may independently put in some effort to clean it – a behaviour Price has witnessed before.
“I would like to suggest that we won’t have a work bee to do that, but people can go out with their rakes and just rake it off to the side, pick up any garbage, plastic or cans,” said Price.
“A lot of the regulars [who walk along the boardwalk] take a little bag with them and pick up cans. I’ve been walking along there and thinking, ‘Where is all the garbage?’”
While a formal work bee may not be organized to clean the boardwalk post-flood, Price said the committee is in need of volunteers for other projects, and added the requirements to be on the committee are few.
“We need a secretary, and it would be good to have some additional folk help us out,” said Price.
“Basically, [the duties are to] attend the meetings and share ideas and thoughts. If we have a number of people on the committee and there’s something that needs to be done, we can call these guys and say ‘Help, let’s get out there and fix this.’”
The committee has held formal meetings only once annually in recent years – Price said attending meetings is not a large responsibility, and hopes to attract some younger members.
Price said upcoming projects for the boardwalk committee include staining the lookout as well as stairs to cover vandalism, as well as making improvements to the slope of the section of the boardwalk that runs beside Stittco. In September, new boards will be added for the year.
Personalized boards are a major fundraiser for the Flinty Boardwalk Committee. They can be purchased for $100 at city hall.
