ABU DHABI // Residents are calling upon people to clean up after themselves when visiting parks and beaches — saying they are sick of seeing plastic bottles and bags, food remains and cigarette butts littering scenic public places.
Sally Stacey, an Abu Dhabi resident, believes there should be more prolific clean-up campaigns to keep parks litter-free.
“Many parks are spotless and very well maintained, such as Pineapple Park on Airport Road — but not if you go first thing in the morning,” said the 38-year-old New Zealander. “Then it is like the rubbish trucks had an all-night party and dumped everything in the parks.
“What is really vile is all the buckets of KFC and chicken bones left lying around.
“My children and I once had the pleasure of finding human excrement on a pirate ship climbing frame.”
Ms Stacey said it was disappointing to see rubbish discarded in public areas.
“For a country that is so well maintained, it is such a shame that the kids’ areas are so horrible,” she said. “Not to mention people smoking in them and leaving cigarette butts around.
“Young lungs at play — no smoking!”
Ms Stacy said more visible reminders warning people not to litter is needed.
“I would suggest more rubbish bins and signposts everywhere that indicate you must tidy up after yourself,” she said. “Mushrif Park is spotless and, although this is because it so new, it is also because they are so strict about not being able to bring food in, which is a very good idea.
“I love picnics but, really, people must tidy up after themselves.”
Shock tactics could also work, she said.
“Another idea I had was to leave the rubbish there for a week so people realise the mess they leave behind,” she said. “When they return a week later they won’t be able to enjoy their picnic as it will be such a mess.”
SM, a 36-year-old American who did not want to give her full name, added: “Abu Dhabi has amazing parks, however, I’m very conscious of which park I take my son due to the amount of litter and cleanliness of some of the parks.
“I’ve spent 30 minutes once picking up soda, water and other rubbish with another mum before letting our kids play.
“The mindset needs to change and we need to teach our kids that even though there are cleaners around, we need to do our part.”
newsdesk@thenational.ae
