Members of the Public Maintaining Public Land

Back in 2010 the City of Detroit could no longer afford to maintain their parks. But one man thought, "I could help with that." So now every other week he and some others get out and mow a bunch of the sports fields. They call themselves the Detroit Mower Gang.



It's a common story. For one reason or another some public lands are unmaintained or abused. So some member of the public steps up and says, "Hey, this is our land. We can take care of it." And then they do. What groups do that sort of thing in your backyard?

My employer has a "Beacon of Hope" day where the employees go do some charity thing -- wash dogs at a shelter, pack lunches for the needy, plant flowers on public traffic circles, etc. But I'm 130 miles away and so I go to the only park my county still maintains and pick up trash.

I also make it a habit to save fruit seeds and sprinkle them around the edges of various parky places and railroad tracks and stuff.

But it's all alone and unorganized.

"For many years I was self-appointed inspector of snow-storms and rain-storms, and did my duty faithfully; surveyor, if not of highways, then of forest paths and all across-lot routes, keeping them open, and ravines bridged and passable at all seasons, where the public heel had testified to their utility."
- H. D. T.