Reclaiming the beach

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Community members joined city staff at a second major beach clean up in Penticton on Thursday.

This time, the focus was on picking up debris left from the recent high water at Okanagan Beach.

"We wanted to do this prior to Canada Day festivities and the long weekend because the weather will be nice and people will want to get out and use the beach and test the water," said Mayor Andrew Jakubeit.

The first tidying effort was last week at Marina Way Beach, with a good turnout of residents.

On Thursday, people, armed with rakes, picked up wood and other items and moved them into piles on the beach and on Lakeshore Drive.

"I love the city, and the beach had a bad time with the floods," said resident Steve Toth, as he unloaded debris from a wheelbarrow.

Sue Strek said she was participating because she simply loves beaches.

"I've gone to many beach clean ups, including the one in San Francisco after the big oil spill," she said. "I do it because I feel the need to keep beaches clean for the community and tourists to enjoy."

Strek added the volunteers were setting a good example, showing people walking by that this is a worthy cause.

While debris is being removed, sandbags are expected to remain on the beach for a few more weeks to protect infrastructure.