Some sledders leave mess behind in northern Arizona forests

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - People flocking into northern Arizona forests to find snow for sledding take their memories with them when they return home. But many leave their trash behind.

Much of it is from plastic sleds and toboggans that crack and break when sledders bump over rocks and logs on the forest floor.

The Arizona Daily Sun reports that that leaves the Forest Service with unsightly messes to clean up after most winter weekends.

Recreation planner Patrick McGervey of the Flagstaff Ranger District says workers typically find hundreds of broken sleds among the trees, often filling pickup trucks with trash.

McGervey says the Forest Service gets help once a week from Coconino County jail inmates.

According to McGervey, pickups those days can total 15 to 20 cubic yards of sleds and trash.