The leader of Dundee City Council has hit out at “inconsiderate” litter louts who left a mess at Camperdown Country Park at the weekend.
Strathmartine councillor John Alexander, whose ward covers the popular local attraction, urged residents to “pick it up” while visiting city beauty spots after being left disappointed with the state of the public car park.
Mr Alexander had been out with family when he spotted the litter lying on the ground, despite a bin being nearby. The council leader interrupted the outing to clear up the mess and urged other residents to do the same.
Spending even some of my weekend picking up other folks rubbish is not how I want to spend my weekend.
I took the kids to the always stunning, Camperdown Park and cane across this site in the car park.
There was a bin literally 20 paces away.
Don’t walk past, pick it up! ♻ ? pic.twitter.com/ObLyi1R0Ol
— Cllr John Alexander (@CllrAlexander) May 13, 2019
Sharing a picture of the scene on social media, he wrote: “Inconsiderate folk pop up all over the place. I took the kids to Camperdown Park at the weekend to enjoy the cracking weather and low and behold, came across this.
“The worst part isn’t that they just clearly tipped the rubbish out of their door in the car park, it’s that there’s a bin literally 20 paces from this point.
“The ‘Take Pride In Your City’ (campaign) was born out of passionate locals looking to improve their areas.
“We all have a duty to take pride, show respect and make this city the best it can be. My one plea… If there’s one can, bottle, crisp packet or whatever lying on the street – don’t walk past it, bin it.”
Mr Alexander has previously raised the issue of individuals failing to clear up their own rubbish and last week called out revellers at Dundee Dance Event after several streets, including Hawkhill, were left strewn with plastic cups and fast-food wrappers.
“Nothing infuriates me more than people leaving their litter on the streets,” he added.
Camperdown has repeatedly fallen victim to litter louts and last year Lord Provost Ian Borthwick hit out “deplorable” vandals who left behind swathes of empty bear carriers and badly damaged a tree with an abandoned disposable barbecue.
The park will benefit from significant renovations, with work beginning on £300,000 worth of parking improvements at its popular play area and wildlife centre.
The project will see the replacement of old parking bays with block paving and the construction of 58 additional parking spaces. In addition, grass in the overspill area will be reinforced to allow for 68 extra spaces.
Neighbourhood Services convener Kevin Cordell said: “The additional spaces are a welcome addition to facilities at Camperdown.
“Across the city, our attractions are seeing increased visitor numbers and Camperdown Park is certainly no exception to that.
“With the new and improved play zone, Camperdown Wildlife Centre, and of course the Flower and Food Festival, the park is continuing to bring in the crowds.
“This latest round of work in the park highlights our commitment to supporting and enhancing the key areas of the city.
“The park’s role as a local attraction is, of course, vitally important, and it’s key that we continue to enhance the facilities to meet increased visitor numbers to the city.”
