I have lived on Mercer Island for 38 years and have found most people who live here to be intelligent, caring and respectful of others. This morning, several friends and I went to Groveland Park to take an early morning swim, only to find the park looking more like a pigsty than a wonderful park provided to the residents of MI. We were dismayed.

Admittedly, yesterday, July 29, was the hottest day on record here. There were probably hundreds of people at the park trying to stay cool. The park has many garbage bins in which to put the refuse. If, perchance, the cans become full, it should be obvious to the park goers that the garbage should be carted out by the people who brought the items. Assuming that most of the people at the park were young people, I would hope that their parents have taught them that garbage is not just tossed out to be picked up by someone else.

When we arrived at the swim area, there were two people attempting to clean up the mess that was left from the previous day. I spoke to one very nice young man, Kirk, who was also appalled at the condition of the beach. He was assiduously picking up the mess left by others who, I would have to assume, felt that they were entitled to leave the mess for the next guy to pick up.

We are each responsible for our own actions. I hope anyone reading this letter will think twice the next time he has a choice between throwing garbage on the ground or actually putting it in the bins provided.

Pat Aldape