FOT Quarterly Beach Clean-Up

Submitted

Saturday, July 12, proved to be a sunny, 82-degree day for the Friends of Tigertail Beach Quarterly Cleanup. Seventeen enthusiastic volunteers collected eight bags of debris weighing approximately 60 pounds from the parking lot, playground, boardwalk and beach. FOT Board members Dick Stone, Susan LaGrotta, Ray and Kathy Apy signed in volunteers, provided water bottles, trash bags and T-shirts. Joe Parisi, membership chairperson, spoke with potential new members.

While Art Dobberstein collected trash on his paddle board in the lagoon, three lone volunteers filled three bags of garbage

along the boardwalks. The most unusual item, found by Joan Robbins, was a written warning from Miccosukkee Tribal Police Department for speeding on July 4! Other items reclaimed included sandals, clothing, cigarette butts, plastic water bottles, glass beer bottles, metal and metal bottle caps, soda and beer cans, broken beach umbrellas, cardboard box for a raft, straws, food wrappers and paper cups with covers. Unfortunately, the cigarette butt holder was overturned with numerous cascading butts, filters and miscellaneous garbage.

Many thanks are extended to all who helped to

make this clean up a successful event. Future volunteers are graciously invited to participate in FOT’s next beach clean up — International Coastal Cleanup on September 20. Tigertail Beach is a special Marco Island gem and warrants care and attention to preserve its uniqueness.

Friends of Tigertail is a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to the stewardship of the unique, rich natural area that comprises Tigertail Beach and Sand Dollar Spit, and to educating the public about these places. Those interested in joining the organization should contact Membership Chair Joe Parisi at 781-864-2392.