RANGELEY — This time of year, as the snow cover slowly melts away, anticipation grows with the prospect of seeing what has been out of sight for a season. As outdoor spaces are uncovered, sights hidden by mounds of snow become visible. Mud begins to churn, grass begins to green, and flowers begin to grow. Ah, spring.

A more unfortunate sign of spring can been viewed on many roadsides and neighborhood streets as receding snow reveals a winter’s worth of trash.

There is plenty of roadside refuse strewn between Rangeley to Oquossoc Village. A large blue plastic coffee container, remnants of a bright green plastic sled, an large empty wire spool, a muffler, and a five gallon bucket can be seen while traveling the six miles or so on Route 4 from Rangeley Manor Drive to Route 17. What can’t be easily seen while driving the route are discarded cans, bottles, sandwich wrappers, to-go coffee cups, scraps of paper and more. So much more.

Some communities have dedicated individuals that spearhead grassroots efforts to combat the spring-time eyesore. They organize volunteers who help with clean up and aid in restoring littered roadsides to the pristine landscapes rural areas are known for.

Locally, that person is Traci Lavoie. This year will mark her ninth year of planning the region’s annual trash pick up day.

“I started this nine years ago because I just cannot stand litter,” Lavoie said. “I’ve lived here for almost 15 years and it was pretty bad when I first started.”

During the first year, participation in the clean up effort was small, she said. She partnered with AJ Ash, owner of the former AJ’s Fat Bikes, to help get the public involved. In the beginning, Lavoie would leave contractor bags at Haley Pond Park and at Ash’s shop.

“Folks could grab bags and head to their neighborhood. I would see groups and families taking part,” she said.

In 2019, she expanded the effort to include the route from Rangeley to Oquossoc.

“That was a banner year. I cannot recall how much was gathered, but it took my son and I two extra days driving around and collecting stray bags. That year, my son and I alone filled 12 contractor bags to the brim. We even got a bedframe from a gully,” Lavoie said.

In 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lavoie introduced road cones to measure out half mile increments along the route. This was “to help folks feel secluded so they would still participate” she explained. Participants would claim a cone and clean both sides of the road along their half mile stretch of  road.

Public participation varies year to year depending on the weather.

“I feel like it is growing. It gets better every year,” she said.

The 9th annual Trash Pick Up Day will take place Saturday, May 3 starting at 9 a.m.

Participants can pick up contractor bags at the front of Rangeley Lakes Builder’s Supply, 2742 Main St., and at Koob’s Garage, 88 Carry Rd. Volunteers who want to claim a mile along Route 4 are asked to park next to a traffic cone.

“Walk the half mile to the next cone, then back on the other side of the road, and you will have done your mile,” Lavoie said.

If participants don’t have a vehicle to haul their collection of debris, bags can be left along the roadside for pickup.

“If you are more interested in cleaning your neighborhood, just make sure your full bags are left somewhere to be picked up, if you can’t take them to the dump yourself,” she added.

Lavoie stressed the importance of wearing boots and heavy duty gloves.

“This is dirty work. I’ve seen it worse, but it isn’t great either,” she added. “I would like to see a community effort to clean up our beautiful area. It really is a feel-good thing.”

In case of rain, the clean up will take place the following weekend, Saturday, May 10.

For more information, reach out to Lavoie on the 9th Annual Trash Pick Up Day Facebook event page or catch her at the Town Office during business hours.