Environmental groups come together to clean up parks
By Mary Dennehy
LOCAL environmental groups were out and about last weekend continuing with their work, while observing social distancing advice.
The first clean-up, organised by the Tallaght Litter Mugs, took place in Sean Walsh Park on Saturday, with four volunteers collecting eight full bags of rubbish and a bicycle wheel from the Tallaght Park.
Volunteers during the clean-up
On Sunday, eight volunteers took part in a second clean-up organised by Dodder Valley Litter Mugs in the Dodder Valley Park, as it runs to the rear of Old Bawn Shopping Centre.
Some 25 bags of rubbish were collected, most of it ‘drink related’, according to volunteers.
Firhouse resident and volunteer Wladek Gaj told The Echo: “[We also collected] one mattress, two sofa cushions, three discarded sleeping bags, jackets, election posters etc.
“One of our members was also rewarded for her efforts by the discovery of a €20 note!
“At Old Bawn, it was apparent to the volunteers observing the accumulation of discarded glass and aluminium alcohol containers that little attempts are made by South Dublin County Council to enforce by-laws pertaining to the public consumption of alcohol.
“This same area had been completely cleaned and re-wilded by volunteers within the past year.
“Parks need to be safe places to visit.”
He added: “At the weekend, the volunteer group took delivery of ‘sharps’ containers, the deployment of these containers have been precipitated by the increasing discovery of discarded syringes in Dublin streams and rivers, some of which have been found as far away as the tidal zone on Bull Island.”
Wladek also stressed that social distancing protocols were “studiously” observed throughout both clean-ups, even volunteer dog Clara taking the new measures on board.
Follow the volunteer groups, Dodder Action, Litter Mugs and Dodder Valley Litter Mugs on Facebook.
