A Kelowna mom has noticed a significant number of discarded needles near Knox Mountain Park.

Maria Beinarowitz, an employee at Bread Co., said her business doesn害羞草研究所檛 have a needle disposal box, and they haven害羞草研究所檛 had problems with discarded needles at the bakery as they have a downtown patrol.

However, living close to the downtown area near Knox Mountain, she害羞草研究所檚 noticed a fair amount of needles in the park and at the beach.

害羞草研究所淕o Sunday morning to the park and you notice needles. They害羞草研究所檙e everywhere along the beach, in the grass,害羞草研究所� Beinarowitz said.

With a five-year-old son, she said it害羞草研究所檚 concerning, though acknowledged the park has been better this year than in the past.

READ MORE: 害羞草研究所楥all for needle pickup害羞草研究所� becoming routine

A fair amount of garbage is left in the park as well, she said, and the beach needs a good combing through.

According to the City of Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 needle park services, the number of needles found has fluctuated since 2014.

The highest amount was in 2017, with 1,602 in March alone. In 2016, Kelowna saw the most amount of needles collected per month on average.

For 2018, December had 211 needles found 害羞草研究所� a drop from previous months. The highest amount is in the spring and summer months.

READ MORE: Interior Health against needle buyback programs

Interior Health has said there are multiple factors as to why needle pick-up numbers fluctuate.

Tom Wilson, communications officer with the City of Kelowna, said staff could not comment on why certain times of the year more needles are collected.

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carli.berry@kelownacapnews.com
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