Forum Topic

acton park in the sunshine..

becomes a bit of a rubbish tip, sadly. I took a photo this morning of a bag of rubbish torn open and spilling all over the path next to the Playhut. I have emailed the photo to parks@ealing.gov.uk and reported it via phone as there is no option for 'rubbish in a park' - or should I have reported it as flytipping?Can we lobby to have the Park cleaned twice daily in the good weather? it might also encourage people not to chuck their half eaten meals, wrappers and plastic bags all over the place.

Clare Gittins ● 4570d23 Comments

I'm glad it's not just me. I can often be found litter picking in the play park at times. I have never understood the logic-surely it would be better to empty the bins at the end of the day, especially when the weather brings lots of people out into the park, than to leave it all overnight, which attracts the foxes and squirrels, who drag it all over the park.

Apple Leiper ● 4570d

Just went to the cafe for lunch and there was a chap in Ealing Green using a litter-picker...though his mate was just sitting on the bench, watching.Am going to equip mum with one - I think Sunny at paint sells them...maybe she can get a pensioner squad going.It was horrendous last Sunday evening after a fine weekend. I agree, doing it sooner rather than later must be sensible.

Sara Nathan ● 4570d

I've watched crows taking a carrier bag out of a litter bin, spreading out the contents and then pecking at the packaging inside hoping for something good.  I tried photographing them but failed.  They are very clever. Some birds now mug people for food. There still seems to be so much packaging around ready-made food.  Not as minimalist as a sandwich wrapped in foil or the picnics we used to have.  There never was a problem taking our rubbish home.  We'd have been in trouble if we didn't return with our lunch-boxes.Do the bins have lids? I think this makes it a little easier to keep the contents inside them.  Crows and magpies can be a big problem stealing eggs if you keep chickens.http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2355552/Feeling-peckish-Cheeky-seagull-swoops-unsuspecting-tourist-steals-ice-cream-right-hand.htmlRemember this:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/north_east/6907994.stm

Philippa Bond ● 4570d

Cleaning up others rubbish is like shutting the gate after the horse has bolted.Suggestion:  rather than get pensioners (who have much better things to do with their time) to pick up youngsters rubbish, get the youngsters to pick it up themselves.  Presumably they have parents with them, whatare they doing?  Just watching their offspring litter the park?The issuing of a few fines usually works.

Dee Cook ● 4570d

My suggestion was wholly pragmatic. It may well happen.Quite a few elderly people walk around the park daily and may well be happy to help (mum has already said she is and awaits the litter-picker)Yours Doris, is from cloud cuckoo land as you must know. You get the youngsters to pick it up themselves (though how you know it is "youngsters" who littered in the first place, I don't know) and see how you get on...

Sara Nathan ● 4570d

In the Ealing parks they have big highly visible recycling bins near the exits, I have seen them in Lammas park. I think this is what we should lobby for.The park maintenance crew start before 7am, I see them when I walk the dog and they finish at 3, long before the park closes.The Bins in Acton park are unfit for purpose and too small.

Kim Rugg ● 4570d

Sara, perhaps the nature of the rubbish would indicate who is dropping it.Can your kindly mother let us know what the rubbish consists of?

Dee Cook ● 4569d

The more different ways people actively show themselves to want the park cleaner the better - instead of not commenting, or complaining and then doing nothing saying it's not mine. Now I am imagining a posse of three-wheeler rollator pushing pensioners waving litter-pickers making their way across the park.  Yee-ha!

Philippa Bond ● 4569d

Love the picture of the pensioners' posse. The multi pronged approach might be more acceptable to everyone who uses the park.  I think there is money left over in the Acton central ward forum budget. What about some signs asking people to take their rubbish home with them 'leave nothing behind except your footprints? AND some fox proof containers for the stuff that doesn't go home.

Maire Lowe ● 4569d

Unfortunately the chaps running the ward forum always say no, it's not in Acton Central ward an we can't/won't contribute. I tried to get money to proper gym equipment and it was vetoed - which is why we have the crappy, unuseable stuff rather than a proper outside gym as in North Acton or Kilburn parks.Oh dear. Rant over

Sara Nathan ● 4569d

Sorry to bring this up but has anyone noticed the bums that hang around the park as it starts getting dark and early mornings in Acton Park? I was quite scared last weekend when one of them followed me to Sainsbury's (I was going to get cash from the machine) and he asked me for money. First he asked for changed and when I said I had no change he asked me for a note. He didn't leave me alone and kept asking me if his trousers were too long (very odd) and he reeked of some horrible smoke so I told him to please leave me alone as he was making me feel very uncomfortable.I am not trying to make any accusations but I have been running in the park on a few occasions after work and I think there may be some sort of 'dealing' going on especially near the entrance near Acton Central Station. I have witnessed guys on bicycles go up to older men sitting on the benches, handing them something and then riding away. Maybe it's nothing but then again, maybe it's something.

Tanya Santos ● 4568d

Report the incident immediately to the police.Give date and time and description.It can be done on line if you prefer.the camera by Sainsbury will pick him up.

Maire Lowe ● 4568d

Giving her the litter-picker tonight and will ask her to report back on the nature of the rubbish.I wonder if she can motivate the other elderly walkers to have a go too...Certainly people drop less if there is none around already.

Sara Nathan ● 4566d

I think the incident about what sounds like dealing should also be reported to the police.I agree with Sarah, rubbish breeds, if someone has littered for some it is like permission to do likewise.

Kim Rugg ● 4566d

Which ward is it in?

Chris Hurley ● 4565d

East Acton certainly  and South Acton maybe.NOT Acton Central unfortunately

Sara Nathan ● 4565d

So mum went out with the litter-picker and retrieved two big bags full. And jolly nearly fell in the pond in the process.She's horrified at the thought that Acton Park may be on the list for no cleaning. She says the bins round the playground obviously hadn't been emptied since the weekend and were over-flowing - though it was better further away.No-one else joined her posse - but give it time and hell's grannies will be shaming Ealing Council into doing it properly! (specially if she does fall in the pond - which I hope she doesn't)

Sara Nathan ● 4565d

Well done Sara's Mum! Congratulate and thank her for us, Sara - she is a great asset to Acton (but tell her to keep away from the pond...)

Lorna Dodd ● 4564d

Yes. Grateful thanks to Sara's Mum. We need good people like her. No reply from the Council or the Councillors s in the decision. We still don't know which parks. C..Mon you Labour councillors. What is the story?

Maire Lowe ● 4564d

Even the bins which were crammed full had not been emptied by 10 30. as well as loads of litter. Usually between walking the dog very early and doing boot camp at 9 30 the park has been cleaned and the bins emptied. This is a disgrace.I will do my bit when walking the dog and fill a bag too.

Kim Rugg ● 4564d

I think I have found a new way to punish my son when he is naughty and doesn't do his homework. PICK UP RUBBISH IN THE PARK!!!lol

Tanya Santos ● 4563d

Bins were all newly emptied and the park looked litter free when I passed through mid afternoon today.

Kim Bobsin ● 4563d

Good to know.

Maire Lowe ● 4563d