Keeping nature clean for all to enjoy, Richardson's Parks and Recreation Department has rolled out a new initiative, and it's quite the green scene. Dubbed the Clean Parks Program, the campaign aims to cultivate park custodians among the community, slash the scattering of trash, and educate the masses on the proper usage of bins and the banishment of micro litter—that pesky confetti included.
A $5,000 grant from the Richardson Rotary Club is the fuel behind the eco-friendly drive. With money in the bank, the department is doling out Clean Park Patrol Passports, a navigation and knowledge adventure meant for kids in the educational trenches of 1st grade and beyond. With booklets in hand, available at local rec centers and daycare establishments, the kiddos can embark on trash trivia trials and make a litter-free pledge. The program serves up swag-like bags and bottles for those who rise to the occasion, according to the City of Richardson, Texas.
Not to leave adulting to the adults, the program is installing new heavyweight trash bins—a sort of receptacle reinvention—at Crowley and Berkner Parks and Renner Trail, all set for a late January reveal. These bins boast double the storage to combat the ever-bummer bin blowout, hopefully ending the woe of wayward waste. Plus, with extra patrols by park staff, issue reporting is as easy as a breeze through the trees via email or a jingle to the Parks and Recreation Administration. The community’s fingers just have to dance over their device of choice to report any violations of the clean code.
