The staff has been very busy getting ready for the official opening of Split Rock and Devil's Gulch Parks. As I write this the roads in Split Rock Park are being repaired. Great news- Both visitor centers will be open 6 days a week and staffed. Stop by and say Hi. Make your reservations for camping and the shelter soon. Progress is being made with staffing and prep for the swimming pool opening in June.
I love spring! I love to watch trees bud, grass getting green and birds coming back. My oriole feeder has been busy!
It is that time of year to be outside cleaning up, trimming trees, and weeding. I talked a little bit last month about mowing your grass and trimming trees. I also mentioned the poo in yards and the need to address this (compliance with city ordinances).
Your opportunity to get a little help cleaning up is coming this Saturday, May 3rd on Citywide Cleanup Day. Garbage-N-More will accept many of the things that clutter up your yard, backyard and alleys (if you have one). You can call them at 605-941-0476 for details and where you need to bring your items (and, of course, what they will accept).
While we are on the subject of cleanup, we need to address the city branch pile. The city maintains this area for disposal of trees and branches. For many years you needed to go to city hall and get a key to unlock the gate. Because this was inconvenient for folks doing yard work over the weekend, we opened it up for full time use. This has worked out well for most people, but it is like a lot of things, a few may ruin it for everyone. We have never allowed garbage, construction material, appliances, furniture or plastic to be left there (this includes plastic garbage bags). The sign at the entrance clearly states what cannot be left, which is anything but trees and branches.
We were recently inspected by the State for compliance, and the inspector found some garbage bags buried under tree branches. The inspector was not very pleased with this, and a report noted it. We have had some folks who have recently left materials that are not allowed, and the Sheriff’s department has issued some citations.
If this “trash dumping” continues we will not be able to allow the general public to drop trees and branches at the site. This would be a big loss for our citizens.
We are working on adding some dumpsters for lawn clippings, as the one there fills up very quickly. Lawn clippings are the only thing other than branches that are allowed. THEY ARE TO BE PUT IN THE DUMPSTER, NOT DROPPED WITH THE BRANCHES. No garbage bags full of grass are allowed, only clippings.
Let's all try to keep the good things rolling!
-Bruce Brown, Mayor
