Enchanted Island Turned Into A Dumping Ground
MINNETRISTA, Minn. (WCCO) -- A quiet channel on Lake Minnetonka has been turned into a dump site. It's happening in Minnetrista, near what's known as Enchanted Island.
Whoever is responsible is tossing in all kinds of junk, from appliances to bicycles.
The frozen water near Phelps Bay offers some of the prettiest winter-time views of Lake Minnetonka.
"It's absolutely beautiful," said Kelly O'Neill, who lives near Phelps Bay.
The scenery is part of the reason O'Neill has never left the area.
"It's pleasant as heck," said O'Neill.
But every so often, he notices something to disrupt nature's beauty. Zimmerman's Pass, which links Phelps Bay to West Upper Lake, has become a dumping ground.
An unwanted stove and bike along the shoreline were among the most recent drop offs. Neighbors have also seen other trash on the ice, but the thaw caused those items to sink to the bottom of the lake.
"It's just people that don't give a damn," said O'Neill. "I know where it's coming from. It's people who bring it and just throw it because they don't want to throw it away."
The location may be the biggest draw for those who want to unload old items illegally. Few, if any, ever see the actual dumping happen.
"It's hard to get out here and it's not patrolled as much," said Richard Adams, who lives near the dump site.
Adams is among many neighbors who now take it upon themselves to clean up the area when the trash builds up.
"It's like, what's their problem? Think it's neat doing that? I hope they get caught and pick the stuff up," said Adams.
It's clear there are those who have disregard for nature, but there are many intent on preserving it.
Dumping in this area has been a problem off and on for years. No one has reported the most recent incident.
Minnetrista Police encourage people to call it in, if they see it.
If a person is caught dumping trash into the lake it does carry a fine -- $178 at minimum.
