‘Inconsiderate’ Act People Inexplicably Do In Minnesota’s Outdoor Spaces

One of the things I (and so many others) really appreciate about living in Minnesota is the easy access to some really beautiful outdoor spaces.

Whether it's a city park, walking path, state park, or hiking trail, there's a lot of natural beauty you can soak up on foot without any specialized gear around our beautiful state..

As I've been out enjoying some of Minnesota's parks and trails recently, I've been noticing something people are doing that is taking away from the experience and leaving me with questions.

Why are people doing this along Minnesota's trails and in the state's parks?

Last fall and this spring, it's kind of disappointing that the number of "doggy bags" I've seen people just leave behind is as high as it is. You know the ones I'm talking about - the bags for dog poo.

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A  couple of weeks ago, I was on a hike at Gooseberry Falls State Park, and someone tied a filled-up doggy bag in a tree along the side of a trail. On a different hike a few weeks earlier at Jay Cooke State Park, I saw a few "used" bags along the side of a trail.

On a walk tonight, I saw someone just leave a bag perched up on top of a rock on the side of the road/trail in a park space in Duluth. I've seen similar scenes elsewhere around the state, too.

Before you come after me, I get nobody wants to carry a bag full of dog poop. Completely understandable.

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The thing is, who do you think is going to come and pick up after you if you just leave these bags behind?

Who is supposed to clean up what you leave behind? There is no poop fairy

Living in Duluth, I can remember a campaign (much like one in other cities) reminding the public "there is no poop fairy" that is just goig to come along and pick up after your dog.

Now, this particular campaign was focused partially on bagging the poo so it doesn't pollute the land and waterways in the area. But the other part of that equation is bringing it to a proper disposal location (which is not just in a bag on the trailside or in a tree or bush).

I've read discussions in online hiking communities that have seen this elsewhere in Minnesota, too. A vast majority of people (even dog owners) say they don't understand the practice.

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Some call it downright 'inconsiderate', not only to others using the trail or park space, but also to the unlucky person is forced to be tasked with cleaning up the left-behind bags.

I've seen some people trying to give the offenders the benefit of the doubt, suggesting that perhaps the plan is to pick it up on the way back. While that's a positive thought, I find it hard to believe that's a consistent (or reliable) strategy.

I've seen some people who tie the bags onto a strap on their backpack or carry a storage container (or something like an empty peanut butter jar) to put the bags in for transportation back to where they can be properly disposed of.

I don't know what the right answer is, but there has to be a better one than just leaving them behind to be someone else's problem.