I know this was reported years ago, but the amount of trash there today was disgusting. There was a used condom and wrapper on the ground; half-finished drinks that my toddler wanted to taste; bottles and wrappers everywhere.

This is an ongoing issue. The Parks department is understaffed and overwhelmed, especially this time of year. In the long-term, consider this issue when casting your votes for municipal officials in the fall.

In the short-term, as I've mentioned before -- http://seeclickfix.com/issues/453629-ft-hale-park-beach-needs-attention -- perhaps one of our community groups could organize a park clean-up. East Shore Neighborhood Management Team? Citizen's Campaign for the Environment? Elm City Parks Conservancy? A few organized (and well-advertised) clean-ups over the course of the spring and summer might make a difference.

That's a good idea, Steve. I know a group in East Rock formed a group, Friends of East Rock Park and one of the things they do is clean up the playground and park. Perhaps they could help with start-up ideas or even periodic collaboration?

Actually, there are over a dozen parks "Friends" groups throughout New Haven, including two in the East Shore area (Fort Wooster Park and Lighthouse Point Park). The Elm City Parks Conservancy (ECPC) page on the Parks & Rec. website lists them all: http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/Parks/ecpc.asp.

As far as I know, there is no "Friends of East Shore Park." If you're interested in starting one, you might want to bring the idea to the attention of the East Shore Neighborhood Management Team (as well as the ECPC).

I think this is what the city depends on- form groups to do the work that the city should be doing with our tax money! The more these groups do, the LESS the city does!

JS: Yes, I think the City depends on its residents to help out when they are overwhelmed, mostly because they have no choice. The staff in the Parks department has been slashed in half over the past decade. I suppose the alternative would be to pay higher taxes to provide more and better municipal services. Maybe you know someone willing to run for public office on a platform of higher taxes. (I do not.)

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