Mill Park play space overflowing with rubbish

(supplied by Mikayla Edwards)

Gerald Lynch

We wouldn’t blame you if you thought you were looking at a local tip, but this photo is of the Mill Park all abilities play space.

It is one of the biggest and best parks in the municipality, fully fenced and equipped with an accessible playground, including water play, a multi-level climbing tower, a full sized basketball court, multiple sheltered areas and more.

Mill Park resident Mikayla Edwards was appalled when she took her young child to the play space to find it in its current state.

“It’s just disgusting,” she said. “Imagine being a rates payer, taking your kids to the park and being confronted with this mess. People need to take more pride in the area.”

Ms Edwards says she visits the Mill Park all abilities play space regularly, and that it is usually far more well kept, pointing the finger at the Whittlesea Council.

“The excess of rubbish has only been present in the last few weeks, but it’s getting worse and worse, the bins and parks are obviously not being maintained,” she said.

She reached out to the council through its Snap Send Solve app service but says she is yet to hear back.

A spokesperson from the Whittlesea Council said they were aware of the issue and made amends as quickly as they could but urges the community to manage their own waste output.

“The bins were emptied and are emptied on a regular schedule. We know it’s a busy time for our parks in school holidays and we always encourage our residents to consider ways to reduce the amount of rubbish they generate,” they said.