Discarded plastic sleds around Lake Tahoe a focus of artwork and Tahoe Fund project

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. = Discarded plastic sleds and their pieces +are still an issue around Lake Tahoe and continue to be a focus of efforts with partners of the Tahoe Fund. One local artist has taken this unsightly trash and used the discarded sled pieces found on sled hills around Lake Tahoe to create an eight-foot-diameter "Sledflakes."

Boatworks at Lake Tahoe, located in Tahoe City, has commissioned this artwork by Mark Salinas and it will be featured during an unveiling and reception on December 13 from 5:00 p.m - 7:00 p.m. Attendees can view sustainable art, drink complimentary beer and wine, and support Tahoe City’s youth. Boatworks at Lake Tahoe is asking attendees to bring a new, unopened toy, that will be donated to local youth.

“For the past few years we have been working with our Take Care Tahoe partners to try to reduce the amount of sleds and litter left behind at sled hills in Tahoe,” said Tahoe Fund CEO Amy Berry. “This is such a fun way to draw attention to the problem. We are so thankful to Boatworks at Lake Tahoe for creating this opportunity and to Mark for using his artistic talents to help spread the word.”

Berry said they are planning to install the Spooner Sled corral this week and Take Care Tahoe partners are also planning to install the corrals at other popular sledding hills around the lake. One problem area remains the sled hill on Mt. Rose Highway. She said the weather up there makes it impossible to use the current sled corral configuration and they are looking for a solution.

Tahoe Fund is also looking at another art project to draw attention to sled debris and other plastic litter with their friends at Tahoe Public Art.