obLITTERators: Cleaner Parks, Safer Walks

The bond of a daily walk is rooted in simplicity, a shared moment of exploration under the open sky. Yet, that simplicity is increasingly threatened by the debris of modern life, from a mouthful of trash, a paw cut on broken glass, or a nose shoved into something unsafe…and unfortunately, these incidents are becoming more and more difficult to avoid. That is exactly why simply cleaning up after yourself when outside matters, and why programs like obLITTERators are such an essential factor of keeping both parks and pets safer.

The Cincinnati Parks Foundation’s obLITTERators program hosts litter cleanups in Cincinnati parks and surrounding greenspaces, working with the City of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Parks, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, and volunteers to get “hands on” and get litter out of parks. Most events are scheduled on the third Sunday of the month from 12 to 2 p.m., with locations announced in advance. Volunteers even receive a branded high-visibility T-shirt! The program provides supplies such as litter pickers, trash bags, gloves, and buckets, making it easier (and safer) for these volunteers to help remove hazards from public spaces. For pet owners, that matters more than it may seem at first glance. Litter is ugly above all else, sure, but it can be dangerous; Broken plastic can be chewed, food wrappers can smell irresistible to dogs, aluminum cans can have sharp edges, glass can injure paws; Discarded bones, cigarette butts, fishing line, and random mystery sludge from a tipped cup all bring their own special brand of potential vet visits. While a cleaner park is more aesthetically pleasing on the surface, it is a safer place for animals to walk, sniff, and explore, and for the ecosystem around it to function as well.

The first rule of outdoor pet safety is simple: assume your pet is curious enough to make bad choices. Dogs investigate with their noses and mouths. Some cats are capable of being trained on a harness, too. Even a well-trained pet may lunge for an interesting smell before you spot the problem.

• Keep your pet on a secure leash, pay attention to what is on the ground, and steer away from areas with visible trash, spilled food, or broken materials.
• It also helps to know what to watch for besides litter. During walks, pets can run into hazards such as standing water, sharp mulch, toxic plants, and dropped human food.
• In warmer weather, pavement can become hot enough to irritate paw pads.

Furthermore, a few habits go a long way:

• Bring water for your pet.
• Watch where they sniff.
• Do a quick paw check after the walk, especially if you passed through gravel, playground edges, or heavily trafficked park areas.
• Practice a strong “leave it” cue so your pet is less likely to sample the sidewalk buffet.
• Carry waste bags and pick up after your own animal.

So the next time you head out for a walk with your pet, think beyond leash and collar. Think about the ground beneath their paws. Cleaner parks mean safer walks, happier pets, and fewer unpleasant surprises. And if you want to help make that happen, Cincinnati already has a program with a great name and an even better mission: obLITTERators!