Today I walked through McKinley Park and noticed something I hadn't really paid attention to before: trash cans. There seemed to be many of them throughout the park, especially in areas where people were walking, sitting, and picnicking. The park itself was very clean, which made me think about what helps keep a large public space that way. Trash cans placed around the park make it easier for people to throw things away instead of leaving them on the ground. It made me realize that keeping a park clean isn't only about picking up trash after it appears. It's also about making it easy for people to do the right thing in the first place. As I continued walking, I started noticing other things that help make the park enjoyable and cared for, including the large mature trees, open grassy areas, benches, and walking paths. The trash cans were just one small part of the park, but they reminded me that keeping public spaces clean is something everyone can contribute to. Sometimes, environmental responsibility can be as simple as putting your trash in the right place.

Today I took a walk around Capitol Park and started looking at all the trees and their little name tags, showing what species they are and where they came from. A man noticed me looking and stopped to tell me that the park has over 200 different tree species, with some trees being more than 160 years old. I also noticed some much younger trees that have been planted and are being cared for alongside the older ones. It was really nice to see how the park preserves its old trees while continuing to add new ones, and it reminded me to slow down and actually notice the nature around me.