Thursday, February 27, 2014

Keep Stone Park Beautiful!

Stone Park is one of the area's beautiful places to visit.  The natural scenery includes native wildflowers, old twisted trees, abundant wildlife, and rolling landscapes.  However, some local residents use the park as their dumping ground.  In 2013, park staff made 15 trips to the landfill after picking up refuse dumped in the park.  Local residents dumped furniture, tires, televisions, clothing, box-springs, and other unwanted stuff around the park.

The park staff should be spending their time improving the park rather than properly disposing of refuse brought to the park by unethical visitors.  The cost of disposing of trash comes out of a very limited park budget.

In addition to the "big stuff", staff and volunteers regularly pick up cans, bottles, and other small litter left behind by visitors.  If it is carried in to the park, make sure to carry it out and properly dispose of it.


You can help in several ways:
1)  Report people throwing litter or illegally dumping to local law enforcement or call 1.888.NOLITTR.  Provide specific information describing the individuals with vehicle license plates and time/date.
2) Teach your children and grandchildren the importance of properly disposing of trash and recycling products.
3)  Join the Friends of Stone Park on Apr. 12, 2014, 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM at the entrance to the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center for their annual roadside clean-up of Highway 12.
4)  Visit this website for more information:  http://www.keepiowabeautiful.com/