Illegal dumping at Pinewood Trails Park on Pine Island raises concerns for wildlife

Illegal dumping at Pinewood Trails Park on Pine Island has sparked concerns about its impact on the environment and the wildlife that call the park home, including threatened gopher tortoises.

Sherry Riley, who visits the park almost daily to walk her dog Jasper, shared her frustration over the issue.

"Who's doing it and what time? It has to be late at night when no one sees them. And I just wish that it can be more controlled, because I feel like people are taking advantage and destroying the wildlife," Riley said.

Gulf Coast News investigated the situation after discovering materials resembling baseball clay covered by landscape clippings at the park. Riley described how she began noticing the dumping several months ago.

"It was like six, seven, maybe some months before that, I started noticing. First I noticed, like, people were dumping grass clippings back there, a bunch of it. And then before I knew it was all that clay and that, and like I said, we walk here like almost every single weekend. So I notice that very much," Riley said.

Lee County officials were contacted about the findings, and on Friday, staff from Parks and Recreation visited the site to assess the situation and take photos. The county has started removing the dumped materials, with staff exercising extra caution due to the wildlife that inhabits the area.

A county spokesperson declined to comment on whether there will be an investigation into the dumping or who might be responsible.

Riley and other park visitors emphasized their desire to protect the animals and the environment.