An Embarrassment in San Antonio

I spent President's Day taking care of my best friend's kids. It was a cool, winter day; perfect for a field trip to a park. I've previously taken the kids to Landa Park in New Braunfels which is beautiful, and very well maintained. Their grounds are kept clean, and their springs are always free of garbage. I can't say the same for Brackenrigde Park. I was truly appalled and saddened to see the amount of garbage not just on the ground, but clogging up the river which is home to a multitude of wildlife.

Despite the many garbage cans available throughout the park, styrofoam cups, baby bottles, plastic spoons, and various other types of trash littered the grounds, and caused an oily, filthy buildup on the surface of the river. I began to wonder who was responsible for keeping the park clean. Did they take year off?

It seems such a shame that such an otherwise beautiful park should be without proper maintenance. Brackenridge Park is a popular place for joggers, and dog-walkers who enjoy the nature trails that wind throughout the woods. Families picnic there almost daily, and even camp out to save the best spots for Easter weekend, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Memorial Day barbecues.

My God-daughter, who only just turned nine years of age, made a very profound observation. In her own words she said, "Why do people throw their trash all over? The ducks don't come to their house and make it dirty!" Out of the mouths of babes!

Park officials need to be made aware that the park's maintenance should be priority number one. The wildlife depend on us all (park goers as well) to keep their habitat clean. Parents need to watch over their children to make sure they aren't littering. Adults need to take those extra few steps to one of the many available garbage cans to dispose of trash. Park personnel need to get on top of scooping out the nasty muck polluting the water. San Antonio, park officials, and San Antonians need to take pride in their parks; especially one that is so very central, and popular to its people.

I wonder how long it will take for Brackenridge Park to get cleaned up. For the sake of all the wildlife, and all the people who go there to enjoy the outdoors, I hope it will be soon.