Mill Creek Ravine garbage 'huge eyesore,' say trail users

Residents in Bonnie Doon are worried about growing piles of garbage in Mill Creek ravine.

Andy Young says he bikes in the ravine several times a week.

While riding along the narrower dirt trails, he's come across mounds of garbage.

"If you took a dumpster full of garbage and I mean a small one and then over-turned it in the middle of a beautiful natural area, that's the result," he said.

"When you first see it you go, 'Wow How does this happen?'"

Young says the discarded clothing, glass and household items is not only an eyesore, but a health hazard and fire risk.

"This is ruining it. Huge eyesore," he said. "There's a number of safety issues, fire hazards, ecological hazards, health hazards. There's nothing good about it."

Young said he would like to see more patrols done in the ravine, but city officials say the garbage in Mill Creek Ravine is typical for this time of year.

They said it may appear worse because an early spring has uncovered the winter build up and they're not getting any more complaints from citizens than usual about the garbage.

Major clean-ups by parks staff and park rangers have already started and will continue throughout the summer, the city said.