1 of 4
Volunteers work along the side of Hwy 507
2 of 4
OF4WD Sign on Road = Sign erected by Peterborough County for the Adopt-a-Road program
3 of 4
The two crews meet on either side of the highway working in opposite directions.
4 of 4
Left to right, Dave Rhymes, Charlotte Darby, Adanna Walker, Robert Taubmann, Tyler Taubmann, Liam Taubmann, Brian Sibbles, Richard Szajkowski, Karolina Szajkowski, Elana Bachman, Kim LeRoy, Robert Szajkowski, Mark Bachman
Story and Photos by Brian Sibbles
June 2nd, 2013 – it’s a rainy morning and we’re on the road early. “Why,” you ask? Well, because it’s time to give back.
Roughly five years ago, members of the OF4WD came up with the idea to do something for the host communities, which they will appreciate, notice and that will affect everyone, not just trail users. The idea was to take part in the Adopt-A-Road program, which is established in many communities across the country. The program allows individuals or groups to adopt a section of road where they become responsible for picking up garbage and making it look presentable for everyone who uses it. It was decided to select Hwy 507 in the county of Peterborough, near the town of Buckhorn, as it is a main route for cottagers, locals and off-roaders alike.
Mark and Elana Bachman, long time members of the OF4WD and Club 4LO in Central Eastern Ontario, selected June 2 months ago to help organize volunteers for this event. Unbeknownst to them, June 2 would turn out to be one of the busiest weekends the OF4WD has seen in quite a few years and one of the wettest weekends as well. Members of the OF4WD were spread out all over southern Ontario. OF4WD head-line sponsor “Just Jeeps” Open house in Toronto was being held that Saturday, a large working crew was working on removing two abandoned cars in the Minden area and we had the Hwy 507 clean up going on, as well. “When it rains, it pours,” they say, oh and this exactly what the weather decided to do as well.
Volunteers began to roll into Flynn’s Corner, a service station and convenience store that has always been supportive of the off-road community. Phil, the owner, has always provided a field behind the station for us to work from which also includes a nice set of washrooms for the volunteers. At the corner of Hwy 507 and Hwy 36, Flynn’s provides travelers with fuel and snacks for the drive up the 507 or towards Bobcaygeon or Buckhorn along 36. It’s a well-known establishment and in tune with what’s happening around the area.
As we checked in with Phil, the skies began to clear and the rain stopped. We thought “alright, things are looking up; let’s get the tents up and BBQ ready for lunch when we get back from cleaning up.” As we got the site ready to go, Mark and Elana ensured all the volunteers had safety vests, gloves and water before heading out to the road. A safety talk and plan of attack was discussed while the group of 12 volunteers was split into two. One group headed north about 4 km and the other started right at Flynn’s. Working towards each other and on opposite sides of the road, the two groups eventually met up in the middle. Staring across the road to see who had the most garbage picked up, they worked harder and faster to gather everything they could and to be the first to finish their side of the road.
Three and a half hours later, which included a 5-minute downpour, the crews completed the clean up, after having collected over 25 bags of garbage/recycle and other large waste items. Converging back in the field at Flynn’s, the BBQ was fired up and the volunteers had a chance to get to know one another and enjoy lunch together. Although the plan was to go for a little wheeling trip afterwards, due to the wet weather, everyone was worried about the trail tread getting messed up and as we were all a little wet, it was decided to save it for another day.
As the small crowd said goodbye to one another, Elana had the opportunity to sign off some community work forms for the younger volunteers who participated that day. In Ontario, high school students are required to perform a certain number of hours working in the community as a part of their program. What a great way to get a few of those hours in.
After unloading the garbage at the local dump (which is paid for by the Adopt-A-Road program) we loaded up the tents and BBQ and headed for home. Where is home you ask?
For some it was over 2½ hours away. I think Mississauga was the farthest volunteer’s residence. That’s dedication - to drive 5 hours to pick up garbage and help a community look its best. The OF4WD board of directors would like to thank Mark and Elana Bachman for organizing this event and the following volunteers for their dedication and hard work; Mark Bachman, Elana Bachman, Charlotte Darby, Richard Szajkowski, Robert Szajkowski, Karolina Szajkowski, Robert Taubmann, Tyler Taubmann, Liam Taubmann, Adanna Walker, Dave Rhymes, Brian Sibbles, and Kim LeRoy.
If your club is looking for a way to get involved in the community contact your local county or municipal office and enquire about the Adopt-A-Road program. You can do it close to home or in a host community, but either way, you are making your province just a little bit more beautiful.