Mayor Bennett Takes Next Step In Recycling Program For Parks

Many plastic bottles and aluminum cans are tossed in the trash toters in city parks.  In order to cut down on the amount of trash being hauled to the landfill, Mayor Duke Bennett and the City of Terre Haute Parks Department began a pilot recycling program in January.

Bennett said, “Originally, the program targeted Dobbs Memorial Park due to the ability to control access and the number of hours that the park is manned.”  Starting July 1, 2009, the effort will now include Collett Park.  “This will be a great test for the program.  Placing the grey recycling toters in a park without staff present will be a great indicator as to whether or not it can be expanded into the other parks,” stated Bennett.

Parks and Recreation Superintendent Eddie Bird is happy with the progress thus far.  “The staff at Dobbs Park has a done a wonderful job to help educate the public.  Hopefully, the program will be well used in Collett Park.”

Bennett has heard from many people in the community about the need for more recycling in the City.  This is another step to see how serious the public is about recycling.  Collett Park will be continually evaluated to determine if the parks recycling program should be expanded, continued at the same level or terminated.