The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission's (M-NCPPC) Montgomery County Planning Board Chairman Derick P. Berlage announced today that, except for regional and recreational parks, all parks operated by its Montgomery County Department of Park and Planning will be subject to the "Carry-in, Carry-out" program for trash removal, beginning this winter. Exceptions will be: Cabin John, Rock Creek, Little Bennett, Black Hill and Wheaton Regional Parks and Fairland, Damascus, South Germantown, Martin Luther King, Jr., Ridge Road Recreational Parks and Ovid Hazen Wells Special Park.
On December 1, 2003, all trash cans will be removed from neighborhood, local, stream valley and conservation parks. By bringing bags or other containers to carry their trash out of the park after visiting, park users will become partners with park management in sharing responsibility for managing solid waste and improving the park environment. This summer and fall, most trash cans in these parks will display signs with the campaign theme, "Enjoy your stay! Please take trash away!" "By reducing the amount of trash collected and hauled to a landfill site, the Department is reducing its dumping costs, redirecting limited personnel into other work, and removing a source of litter by birds and other animals," stated Mr. Berlage. "The result will be a safer, healthier, more pleasurable experience for all park visitors."
In September 2002, the "Carry-in, Carry-out" program began as a pilot in certain parks: Olney Manor Recreational Park, Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park (from University Boulevard to New Hampshire Avenue), the Beach Drive portion of Rock Creek Stream Valley Park, South Gunners Branch Local Park in Germantown and the Capital Crescent Trail in Bethesda. Olney Manor Recreational Park will continue to be "Carry-in, Carry-out" as an on-going pilot for larger parks.
The Department encourages park users to practice the three R's: Reduce wasteful habits by purchasing reusable products, avoiding individually wrapped products and using less paper products; Reuse resources by selecting washable and refillable items and containers; Recycle items made of plastic, glass, paper and metal.
Similar "Carry-in, Carry-out" programs are already implemented within Maryland's state parks, the National Park Service's C & O Canal National Historical Park, and selected parks in the City of Rockville.
The "Carry-in, Carry-out Program" is one cost-reducing technique planned for use by the Department. "We already reuse a large percentage of organic waste, such as compost, chips and mulch for landscaping. Our Central Maintenance Division is recycling or reusing many auto products. We are also exploring the use of large capacity in-ground collection containers, which require less trips to the land-fill," said Les Straw, Superintendent of Parks. "With limited budget resources, we're attempting to use public dollars in the most efficient and productive ways."
Mr. Straw also noted that enforcement will increase against those who use the parks for illegal dumping. Residents should compost yard waste. Bulk items should be collected by the Department of Public Works and Transportation. Call 240-777-6410 for more information about bulk trash removal. Sightings of illegal dumping on public parkland should be reported to the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection at 240-777-7770 or the Park Police at 301-949-3010.
"Parks are valuable assets to communities in Montgomery County," he added. "Together we can keep them clean and environmentally sound while keeping maintenance costs low." For more information about the "Carry-in, Carry-out" program in parks, go to www.mcparkandplanning.org
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission encourages the participation of all individuals in its programs and facilities. For assistance with special needs, such as large print materials, sign language interpretation, listening devices, etc., please contact Marion Joyce, 301-495-4600, TTY 301-495-1331 or the Maryland Relay Service, 1-800-735-2258.