The City of Abbotsford's parks, recreation and cutlure department has issued a letter to residents, urging them to prevent the "dumping of green waste" in local parks.
The letter is dated Friday, June 7 and indicates that the dumping of material on parkland is subject to a fine of up to $2,000. It reads as follows:
Re: Dumping in Parkland
The City of Abbotsford's Parks Division requests your assistance in preventing the dumping of green waste in your local park.
If you witness dumping in our parkland, please contact Parks Division at (604) 853-5485. You may remain anonymous if you wish.
Each year, Parks' staff removes large quantities of green waste and other debris from parkland. The time and effort consumed in this activity detracts from our regular business of maintaining and operating parks. Parks are for the enjoyment of all and should not be used as a dumping ground. Dumping of any materials in Parkland is a bylaw offence and punishable with fines of up to $2,000.
Dumping of green waste is not composting and is detrimental to our environment. For information about how to effectively dispose of green waste, please refer to the City of Abbotsford's webpage at:
http://www.abbotsford.ca/engineering_and_regional_utilities.htm
– select the "Garbage, Recycling and Compostables" tab.
Thank you for your assistance with keeping our parks healthy.
Sincerely,
Shawn Gurney,
Abbotsford Parks,
Natural Areas Section
It is not clear whether the letter has any connection to the controversy surrounding Abbotsford city hall this week after a load of chicken manure was dumped at an area on Gladys Avenue that is occupied by homeless people. Although it is dated June 7, it is not yet known when the letter was actually drafted.
The correspondence is generating comments on social media.
"I don't get it. is that a feeble attempt at what? r u asking us to call and anonymously tell you your by-law officers were seen dumping ****, I mean waste...????" stated one post.
Another one stated simply, "Wow."
City hall is closed on the weekends, and nobody was available for comment.
On Friday, the city manager indicated that it is known who is responsible for the act, and the matter is being dealt with internally.