Zilker Park Cleanup
Our group decided to take action at Zilker Park. One of the most famous parks in Texas that is home to many huge events. This park is used by hundreds everyday and is a very important aspect to Austin. It sits right on Lady Bird Lake and has sand volleyball courts. Cleaning this park would impact many people and animals, so we decided to gather some bags and spend a few hours cleaning. The open areas were clear of the bigger trash items, but there were lots of little microplastics and pieces of trash that most may not have seen. With the Kite Festival being just a few days before, we collected many strings, streamers, and plastic kite handles. Along the side of the park are lots of bushes and smaller crevices for pieces of trash to collect. We walked down to one of the most popular spots and cleaned the entire area. The bottles, cans, chip bags, and many other items were overcrowding an area that most people love to hang out at.
BEFORE
AFTER
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
Here are some easy steps to take when out in a high polluted area:
1. Bring a paper sack along to collect trash
2. Look for smaller pieces that are harder for groundskeepers to see
3. Use non-single-use items
4. Dispose of trash in trash cans
5. Use a personal water bottle or mug instead of a single use cup
6. Make sure trash lids are on the trash cans
7. Dispose of cigarettes and cigars properly
