Janey Waterhouse had some good news and bad news for the Niles City Council Monday night.

The Niles Parks Board member said the parks are “well-used” but are also “well-littered.”

“If people are trying to clean up after themselves, they are not doing a very good job of it,” Waterhouse told the council during citizens’ comments.

Waterhouse is also concerned about the lack of turnout at park cleanup days. Since April 2010, the Niles park board has organized monthly trash cleanup events but support has been limited.
“We had three people at our last one,” she said. “If you work for an hour or an hour and a half, we can make a big difference.”

Council member Bruce Williams said last time he was at Southside Park, he couldn’t find a trash can.

“There was trash all over the place,” he said. “It (having trash cans) would be a great start to having the park cleaned up.”

Council member Bob Durm said he would look into getting the Niles High School football team to help out at an upcoming cleanup.

“We have 60 strong young men ready to help,” Durm said.

Park cleanup days take place 9 a.m. the third Saturday of every month at the Niles Amphitheater. For more information, contact Waterhouse at blw51926@sbcglobal.net.