by MOSES LEOS III
Trash, plastic bottles, candy wrappers. It is an all too common sight in today’s world of urbanization. And it is a shame to see it at sports fields where children play.
Unfortunately, this image has emerged at the Buda Sportsplex, where more and more litter is being left behind at picnic areas and around the parking lots.
“This is new,” said Buda Assistant City Manager Brian LaBorde, who is currently assisting Buda in the Parks and Recreation Department until the new parks director comes onboard. “We will start investigating this immediately.”
LaBorde said the Buda Parks Department continues to work diligently to ensure that trash is properly handled and disposed of. “We try to stay on top of the issue as much as possible,” LaBorde said. “If the trash bins are overloaded, our guys are there to take care of it.”
LaBorde said that many sports leagues using the sportsplex pick up any trash they have while on site.
But Buda is trying to rectify the littering situation. Brainstorming sessions will take place when new Parks and Recreation Director Andrew Czimskey takes office on Friday. Public outreach has emerged as the top solution, as the city aims to create public awareness about the proper disposal of garbage.
“We want to be proactive on this, rather than reactive,” LaBorde said. “Whenever we get information such as this, our goal is to remedy the situation. We will work to make sure that there is no litter in Buda parks.”
The Buda Sportsplex is located near the intersection of FM 1626 and 967, close to Dahlstrom Middle School. The complex, which opened in 2009, is a 52-acre park that contains eight sport fields, a hike and bike trail, open parkland and a playscape.
