"Bring back the park patrol with powers to fine” - Star readers share their park littering solutions

After the recently frankly embarrassing scenes at Endcliffe Park caused so much anger both in the local community and city-wide… we asked our readers what they thought about the mess being left in and around city parks and what they thought should be done about it.
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There were a number of responses and some pretty decent suggestions. This is what some of our community had to say about the topic:

David Booth had a fairly blunt take, saying; “SCC has no qualms about selling land for development no matter how important it is for nature, this is of less importance so why not sell it for development. This abuse of public amenities is happening all across the country, if people care so little for them, there is no point in keeping on spending money on them, put them to a better use.”

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Kay Dickinson responded saying; “obviously the majority do care. I would hope now this has hit the media the culprits will think again. Put notices up and good enough bins. People went a bit crazy for the novelty of being out after such an awful hemmed in year. Let's hope it's a one off mad day or two. I hate it too and found it shocking.”

The rubbish clear up at Endcliffe Park. Picture: Chris EtchellsThe rubbish clear up at Endcliffe Park. Picture: Chris Etchells
The rubbish clear up at Endcliffe Park. Picture: Chris Etchells

Debbie Winstanley thinks park entry fees are an answer here, amongst other things; “Have park rangers patrolling the grounds handing out fines, which in turn will pay for their salary. As will a nominal park entry frees The kids need to be taught about respect too, it’s absolutely disgusting behaviour!”

Whereas Jane Brown thinks that there needs to be better options available for people to put their waste; “Why don’t they put skips around the field obviously the bins or not big enough for the rubbish when it’s piled up around all the bins .even the bins outside the park are full” — the only thing is it would look quite unsightly, don’t you agree?

Andrew Fretwell thinks that; “Littering is an issue throughout the city and an all year round problem. Checkout any road within 15 mins of a drive through.

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On the spot fines would help, if only there was anyone of authority around. Clearly education doesn't work”, and this is something that Daniel Barron agreed with; “I think a fine £300 and community order to litter pick the area or equivalent of 80 hours of community service. Failing to complete the community order results in £1000 fine.”

Andrea Allen feels that bins need to be bigger and that the council needs to “empty them more often. The council must know it’s a busy park, especially when the suns out.” Tom Middleton however said that is “excuse people should take their crap home instead of littering, not the councils problem” — if the bin is full, you are supposed to take it with you to the next available bin to be fair, which is what Kelly Louise Riley says, “do we what some do and take a bag and rubbish home”.

"Bring back the park patrol with powers to fine” says Danny Watson and quite a few others to be fair, like Rachael Knott who said “round them up and make them pick up all the litter around the city and local countryside! It’s disgusting behaviour that whoever took part in this didn’t respect the area, wildlife, or community.” Sam Wragg is clearly not one for suffering fools, he responded by saying; “Let nobody out give them a bin bag make them clear their rubbish up and escort them home with their rubbish.”

A controversial view was shared by Thirza Wilczek, who shared her experiences of living in Germany and how it works over there; “Use a sign in App as an entry check in to parks (such as Luca App where personal details are given, making it easy to contact any culprits again). The people/students involved in leaving this mess, should then be found and forced to clean it all up by law” — however, a few did agree with her here. What would you think about that dear reader? And another strong opinion was shared by Pamela Wilson, who said that; “people should have to pay a small entry fee to fee to visit parks,this could then be used to provide security guards and park keepers to look after safety and maintenance, after people are prepared to pay to visit Alton Towers, Disney land etc, the same should apply to parks and all other recreational areas, when we were kids we were scared to death of the Park Keepers” — it’s a bit harsh… but could it work? Answers on a postcard.

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Irene Cottam on the otherhand feels that it’s the fault of recent generations here; “Start at schools and educate kids about litter, we did in 50s always put in bins or took it home then fine people like they do in other countries” — I don’t disagree Irene, however I do remember it being instilled in me at school that we respect our environment, our community, our neighbours and others. I don’t think that mantra has changed in schools, at least. Park Wardens who can issue on the spot fines may help though?

Jennylee Bamford isn’t having it that it’s just the youth; “It's easy for people to blame young ens but it is not always them, every age can throw litter” — preciesly.

And, Stephen Marshall says that we should “fine them & put them to work cleaning all the rubbish off sheffield streets every weekend for a month.”

Finally… Pamela Draycott kept it short, sweet and rather succinct; “extra litter bins, litter patrols and fines.”

Some very strong opinions indeed… if you’d like to read more of the discussion then you can here as well as here.

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