The draft essay attached needs to be revised into a better essay based off the comments below. The argument is generally clear and well-supported, Though it is a bit confusing why the first parag

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Introduction

Establishing public skateboarding parks and other recreational spaces where youth can engage in active transportation and extreme sports has a multitude of benefits for young people's physical and mental well-being as well as community development. With rising rates of childhood obesity and less outdoor free play time compared to previous generations, it is more important than ever to provide opportunities for youth to be physically active in a fun, social setting. Rather than congregating in empty parking lots or being shooed away from public spaces not intended for such activities, a designated skate park gives kids and teens a safe place to explore their interests and burn energy through skating, biking, or inline skating (Sorsdahl et al., 2021). Not only does the physical activity combat obesity and promote cardiovascular health, but the parks also act as important social hubs. Here, young people can gather with friends, engage in healthy competition, learn new skills from more experienced peers, and form a sense of community. When done right with youth input, a publicly accessible skate park can make a whole generation of residents happier and healthier while strengthening neighborhood bonds.

Problem Statement

Littering has become an increasing problem in our community parks and walking trails. According to data collected annually by the Parks Department, the amount of trash picked up from these public spaces has risen by almost 25% in the last five years alone. What was once an occasional piece of paper blowing across the sidewalk has grown into piles of food wrappers, plastic bottles, and paper cups strewn along the edges of walking paths. Not only does this Create an eyesore that detracts from enjoying our green spaces, but litter also poses health and safety risks.

There are certainly differing perspectives on the root causes of littering. Some argue that it is simply human nature for small amounts of garbage to accumulate outdoors over time through accidental dropping or wind. However, the sharp rise seen in recent years suggests other contributing factors as well. With the ubiquity of single-use plastic and pre-packaged foods designed for quick consumption, some environmental groups claim our society has become too reliant on disposable products without proper systems for disposal (Bartels et al., 2023). At the same time, budget cuts have reduced trash collection frequency at parks to just once per week. This may leave litter lingering longer before removal.

Proposed Solution

To make meaningful progress reducing park litter, I propose a "Pack In, Pack Out" initiative pairing signage encouraging proper trash disposal with convenient bag stations. Similar campaigns in parks across the state have proved to be low-cost and highly impactful in reducing litter over both the short and long-term. According to a University of Michigan study tracking litter removal rates before and after implementation, parks saw a 25% reduction in collected trash within the first year alone. That reduction has held steady even five years later showing the potential for sustained behavior change when addressing the issue from both infrastructure and personal responsibility perspectives.

Signage at high-traffic trail entrances would politely remind visitors to dispose of trash properly using friendly, positive messaging. Research indicates that signs tapping into community pride through phrases like "Please pack out what you pack in" or "Help keep our park clean for all to enjoy" are twice as effective at motivating responsible actions as those adopting a scolding tone. To maximize visibility and impact, a rolling schedule would feature alternating weeks of educational signs detailing specific impacts of litter on local wildlife alongside appreciative signs highlighting the park's value to the community to maintain interest and prevent observer fatigue.

Bag stations installed alongside existing trash cans would provide small bags easily accessible for spontaneous cleanups during visits. Studies show that the simple presence of bags within 10 feet of trash receptacles leads to a 30% increase in observed litter pickup behavior compared to locations lacking available bags. With bags available at obvious disposal spots in high visibility colors at key decision points like trail splits or scenic overlooks, passersby are more likely to act on impulse and pickup any small items noticed versus expecting cleanups to happen behind the scenes (Rivera et al., 2021). Multiple bags affixed to stations would also allow convenient transfer of contents from lunches or picnics directly to vehicles without spills or stray items escaping.

Of course, relying completely on voluntary participation has limitations. However, pairing "Pack In, Pack Out" messaging with regular trash collection addresses concerns without losing educational benefits. Continued weekly scheduled waste removal as currently done eliminates buildup from any items not recycled or packed out. This maintains parks in a litter-free state attractive for community enjoyment and exercise without onerous personal responsibility expectations. Ongoing evaluation of participation rates and remaining waste volumes determines if adjustments like additional signage focus areas or alternative bag materials prove necessary (Bartels et al., 2023). With community buy-in and participation, this proposed multi-pronged solution presents a balanced and pragmatic first step toward sustainably reducing park litter. Its low costs, emphasis on individual care balanced with municipal support, and evidence from prior successes indicate this initiative could make meaningful change. With collaboration between park stakeholders, our community stands to enjoy cleaner, healthier public spaces for years to come.

Benefits and Feasibility

In addition to reducing litter, the “Pack In, Pack Out” initiative provides environmental education benefits. A study done in five parks in Sonoma County found that signage emphasizing ecosystem impacts increased visitor litter pickup rates from 35% to over 70%. Signs at trailheads and garbage cans could highlight how trash harms local wildlife like birds and small mammals who may eat or become entangled in waste. This helps connect community members to the natural spaces around them and encourages continued responsible behaviors outside the parks.

Implementing bag stations and signs has reasonable costs and coordination requirements. With an average implementation budget of $500-$1000, the same Sonoma County study calculated an annual litter removal cost savings of over $6000 across their five parks from reduced cleanups. Local environmental non-profits have already expressed willingness to assist the Parks Department in material donations and installation support on a volunteer basis (Veitch et al., 2021). Ongoing trash collection remains financially feasible through the current municipal contract allocation which provides weekly service for all public areas. As participation grows, collection needs may decrease, further reducing costs long-term. Regular meetings between stakeholders will ensure bag stations stay stocked and signs refreshed as foot traffic changes with the seasons.

Counterargument and Rebuttal

Some may argue that relying on personal responsibility is ineffective compared to strict anti-littering enforcement. Research shows educational civic engagement results in more sustained behavior changes. A Colorado study directly comparing punitive fines to educational signage found fines temporarily reduced litter but had little lasting impact once enforcement ended, while signs achieved 20-30% long-term reduction. Signs appeal to participants' identity as park stewards invested in a clean space rather than coercing superficial compliance. Others contend providing trash bags may enable littering by facilitating disposal. But studies reveal the opposite outcome - accessibility supports responsible choices. A New York City park analysis uncovered that when small garbage bags were made available at trailheads, surrounding area cleanups saw significant decreases in waste from 68 items per acre to less than 10. Proper signage reminds visitors the bags are to collect their own litter, not encourage generating more trash. A cohesive solution harnessing individual motivation and infrastructure support optimally addresses the issue.

Call to Action

As our community continues to grow, so too will pressures on our shared public spaces like parks and hiking trails. Maintaining access to natural areas where residents can gather, find recreation, and connect with nature requires a collaborative effort from all of us (Henderson, 2023). While littering remains a complex issue with many root causes, this "Pack In, Pack Out" initiative presents an opportunity to make meaningful strides in safeguarding these valuable community resources for generations to come through small, everyday actions of responsibility and care. I urge community members and park advocacy groups to join with the Parks Department in implementing bag stations and informational signage at high-traffic trailheads this summer.

Volunteers are also needed to help with the initial material preparation and installation process over the coming months. With widespread participation and commitment from stakeholders across our town, I am confident this multi-faceted approach can succeed in significantly reducing litter over time while also strengthening environmental stewardship. We can ensure our parks remain clean, sustainable spaces for all residents to enjoy well into the future.

Getting the program started smoothly will require initial setup work from partner groups to determine sign messaging and locations according to park layouts, as well as inventory existing trash receptacles that could host bag dispensers. The Parks Department then needs support distributing materials to trailheads and kickstarting educational outreach through social media in the leadup to rollout. Residents are encouraged to contact the Nature Society to get involved with these coming preparations over the next few months so the initiative can launch fully stocked and with community buy-in this summer (Bartels et al., 2023). Through coordinated efforts between willing community members and local groups, this initiative can successfully address litter in our parks for many years. By uniting people around the shared goal of environmental stewardship, it has great prospects for strengthening community bonds as well as sustainability.

Conclusion

The increasing issue of littering in local public green spaces demands a cooperative remedy. This research has made the case that a "Pack In, Pack Out" campaign presents a fair, research-backed initial actions toward significantly decreasing park waste by cultivating acts of self-governance. Through informing visitors and facilitating disposal thanks to availability, this multi-dimensional plan addresses the problem from individual and organized perspectives (Veitch et al., 2021). With help from dedicated neighborhood associations in the launch and sustained collaboration involving all parties concerned, there is excellent prospective for the project to not simply curb rubbish in the long-run but also bolster ecological responsibility. With combined efforts, cleaner, sustainable parks benefiting the total community could be achieved.

Reflection Questions

1. In the introduction paragraph, I cited a source (Sorsdahl et al., 2021) to support the argument that skate parks promote physical activity and combat sedentary lifestyles like childhood obesity. Including credible sources enhances the credibility and persuasive power of the essay. This shows that my key claims are backed by subject matter experts and research.

2. As I revise this draft, feedback on the structure and flow between sections would be helpful. Specifically, suggestions on how clearly each section builds upon the last and logically progresses the overall argument. Comments on whether the counterarguments and call to action are addressed thoroughly enough would also aid improvement. Slight tense inconsistencies in sourcing need correction for a polished draft.

References

Bartels, C. A., Lambert, E. V., Young, M. E., & Kolbe-Alexander, T. (2023). If You Build It /Will They Come? Park Upgrades, Park Use and Park-Based Physical Activity in Urban Cape Town, South Africa—The SUN Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3), 2574.

Henderson, S. (2023). Preserving Place: Presenting Heritage with a New Sense of Youth (Doctoral dissertation).

Rivera, E., Timperio, A., Loh, V. H., Deforche, B., & Veitch, J. (2021). Important park features for encouraging park visitation, physical activity and social interaction among adolescents: A conjoint analysis. Health & Place, 70, 102617.

Sorsdahl, K., Davies, T., Jensel, C., Oberholzer, D., Gelberg, L., & van der Westhuizen, C. (2021). Experiences and perceived benefits of a youth skateboarding program in South Africa: From the physical to emotional and beyond. Journal of adolescent research, 07435584211052983.

Veitch, J., Ball, K., Flowers, E., Deforche, B., & Timperio, A. (2021). Children’s ratings of park features that encourage park visitation, physical activity and social interaction. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 58, 126963.