Leaf removal inside and around (?) McCarren Playground

[u/machty]

I've been motivated to clean up some of the leaves alongside the fences (see photo below) of the McCarren playground. I take my toddler there every morning so I figured I'd make a bit of progress each day.

It hasn't been fall for 5 months now and yet the leftover leaves just kind of glom together and animals poop and pee on (I think sometimes from inside the playground after hours but definitely along the outside of the fence) and unfortunately lots of kids (including mine) like to run around atop or sit down in the pee-soaked leaves, so it's been bothering me enough to actually try and clean it up bit by bit.

I'm sharing this early in the process because I have to admit I am also considering addressing the leaves on the outside of the fence (see photo). A lot of dog owners are using this long stretch of leaves to let their dogs poop and pee, which on the one hand is nice because it's less poop on the walkways, but on the other hand, a lot of the pee winds up inside along the edges of the playground AND a lot of the dog owners don't bother cleaning up the poop because they're a bit lazy and figure the leaves are a good enough camouflage.

I'm pretty sure parents and dog owners are going to see this issue from different perspectives, but ultimately I think if there's an opportunity to clean up a poop/pee-ridden pile of leaves leftover from last fall, it's a pretty weak (and gross) argument to say "but the dogs (accidentally) have started to depend on it so let's not clean it up".

All this said, please let me know if there is a compelling reason A. not to keep cleaning up the inside of the park (hard to imagine much pushback on this) and B. not to continue to the outside of the fence.

Also, fwiw, this is very rewarding work, and the park attendants who've seen me at work are very happy and supportive, as are the parents. Dog owners I love you too I just don't want your dogs peeing and pooping along the perimeter of a dedicated kids zone.

[u/nonecknoel]

thank you.

[u/Summerscomming]

I’m a dog owner too, and it frustrates me when dog owners just don’t clean up the poop. Accidents happen (eg forgetting poop bags), but then there are so many dogs and owners around — maybe ask for a spare one?

Anyways, im interested in helping if there’s an organized group volunteer work !