County launches ‘Adopt a Beach’ program

By Lyndsie Kiebert
Reader Staff

Bonner County Parks and Waterways is implementing an Adopt a Beach program in an effort to involve the public in maintaining area beaches and boat ramps.

A local pooch at Sandpoint’s Dog Beach. Photo by North Idaho Dog Fun.

The first Adopt a Beach cleanup gathering is slated for Sunday, July 28 at Dog Beach. Volunteers should meet at the parking lot at the start of the trail at 9:30 a.m. and bring their own gloves. Lyndsie Halcro, an administrative assistant with Bonner County Parks and Waterways, said the department has a small crew and wants to make sure it is spending “adequate time” managing access areas to local waterways.

“Being out in the field helps us determine what areas need improvement, and what areas are problematic,” she said. “As far as improvements, receiving public input helps us to determine what is important to Bonner County residents and its visitors.”

Parks and Waterways is responsible for managing ramps and beaches in Laclede, Hope, at Coolin and Slee Street in Priest Lake, at Bonner Park West in Priest River and Garfield Bay. Halcro said the upcoming Dog Beach cleanup will likely be the first of many, depending on how much support the program receives.

“[The] program is a great way to meet individuals who recreate and are passionate about this area,” Halcro said. “It is also a means to spend time working alongside the community to make a better impact on the areas we manage.”

For more information on the Adopt a Beach program, call Halcro at 208-255-5681 extension 4.