A Simple Idea

We are so lucky to have the most beautiful park and walking trails just across the street from our new place. On days when I get my act together and it isn't a bazillion-million degrees by 8a.m., I try to take Hushpuppy out for a walk. The day always feels nicer when you start it with a nice trek through some green space.

Usually, I'll stop somewhere and let Hushpuppy have a wander around of her own. Let me tell you, there's nothing like having a crawler to point up just how much trash is all over the ground, even in a well-kept park like ours. I try to squeeze in a few sun salutes, but I spend most of the time yelping, "No! Get that out of your mouth!" and dashing over to rid her of whatever plastic bit/paper scrap/cigarette butt (shudder) that she's about the pop into her mouth. 

Her trash collection habits gave me a great idea that I trialed for the first time today. I decided to add a plastic grocery bag to my diaper bag checklist, so that any time we find ourselves in a park, I have a place to collect trash. 

Rusty bottle top. Just what I want my baby to find...

This morning on our walk, I tied the bag to the handlebar of the stroller and, along the way, picked up whatever pieces of trash I happened upon. I didn't go looking for it or out of my way, but my haul at the end of the walk included three beer bottles, numerous receipts and paper scraps, 2 children's booked that had turned nearly to mush in the rain, a whole bunch of birthday party detritus, a half dozen cigarette butts, several bottle tops, among other things. I popped the full bag into the bin on the way out. So easy.

If everyone who enjoyed the park did that and just picked up a few things they happened upon, think how clean it would always be. I think it's a nice way to show respect to a public place we feel grateful to have and do just a little thing to make it a tiny bit nicer for everyone. 

I'll be carrying my little trash bags around with me from here on out.