Our View: Watch that trash; keep parks clean

We couldn’t help but notice that the garbage can at the local skatepark is often overflowing and litter is scattered around the area.

At first we feared that the kids using the skatepark were not taking care of the space they (and their skateboard elders) fought for so long to build. Then we noticed that other garbage bins were overflowing at other local parks.

Cloquet parks staff has noticed, too, that garbage in the parks has increased significantly since the pandemic started. In response, they’ve emptied the garbage cans more frequently and have installed some special lids to keep birds and predators out of the garbage. It’s happening because more park patrons are eating more restaurant take-out food, which creates more garbage. Birds and other animals can get into the cans and spread the garbage around, making a mess.

The skatepark bin is emptied four times a week.There’s only one can there because every time the city adds one, it ends up being used as a skate prop or otherwise disappears. The city, we’ve been told, will be adding a second “heavy frame” can in the near future in an attempt to deter alternative uses. That should solve the problem, at least at the skatepark.

Excess garbage at the skatepark is a problem because we know there’s a certain number of people in town who worry the place could turn into a den of immorality. Knowing that many adults in town are watching, we encourage skaters to take extra care of the park and keep it clean, literally and figuratively. So many kids and adults put so much effort into getting the skatepark built, it would be a shame to allow it to get a negative reputation. Keeping it tidy is a good step.

It’s exciting to see our excellent parks getting used more as people start to get out after the long quarantine. We hope people stay safe, practice social distancing, clean up after themselves, and leave their parks in at least as good a condition as they found them.

We welcome your input. Send your thoughts, letters, or news to [email protected]