SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Around 50 Yellowknifers volunteered their time on Sunday to take part in the clean-up of the Sand Pits, a popular recreational area on the outskirts of the city on Highway 3.

Half of those who participated in the event were members of the Midnight Sun Wheelers, a 4x4 club based in Yellowknife. The club also organized the event.

"Too many times 4x4 and off-roading clubs get a bad rep for being reckless," said Tania Oosting, treasurer and secretary of the club.

"We use the Sand Pits on a regular basis and we want to keep it clean."

Oosting said this was the first year the event was advertised ahead of time and the club received sponsorship, which provided prizes for the volunteers who were not members of the club. The group also organized a barbecue for the volunteers.

The clean-up of the area is often organized by the club once a year.

"We weren't able to do it last year, so we decided not only to clean it up this year but to make it an event," said Jeff Corradetti, past president of the Midnight Sun Wheelers.

Other than people driving their 4x4 vehicles at the recreational site, Corradetti said many residents use the area to hike or walk their dogs.

During six hours of clean-up the group managed to discover all kinds of trash.

"We removed everything from oil tanks to stoves," said Corradetti.

He said the volunteers also managed to remove nine cars, two of which where in deep water holes. Corradetti fell in the water while trying to attach a chain to a submerged truck's bumper. "It was a cold swim," he said. "I couldn't touch bottom."

Other than vehicles and stoves, club members said their was plenty of regular trash found in the area. Ryan Wood, a new member of the club, was happy to be part of the initiative.

"We use the area all the time and it's heart-wrenching to see all the junk on the ground," said Wood.

"It was definitely rewarding and my kids had a great time."

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