HERMITAGE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Mounds of trash are covering the creek beds at one of the most scenic parks in the Metro Nashville area.

Stones River Greenway, located in Hermitage, is dealing with a major trash problem. Now, Metro leaders say it's time to clean it up.

In fact, the problem is so intense that a group of people have developed an online thread to discuss the issue. Several photos shared in the thread show mountains of trash along the greenway.

"It's not a good representation of what this community is about and I was appalled when I saw those pictures," said District 14 Councilman Jordan Huffman. "There should never be any collection of trash that large anywhere, let alone in Nashville."

Huffman told News 2 he believes the trash shown in the pictures resulted from rain bringing debris down the river.

To fix the problem, Huffman has organized a community cleanup for Saturday, July 12. The event is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. and aims to restore the greenway.

News 2 walked the greenway Wednesday afternoon and saw trash throughout the area, including cigarette butts and food containers.

Some parkgoers expressed disappointment in the park's new reputation of being overrun with trash.

"I think it's very sad to have such a beautiful park to come to and walk in, and for people to not kind of take some pride and ownership when they live here and just dump their trash," one parkgoer told News 2.

Chris Jue said he enjoys taking his dog to the greenway's dog park, but he's concerned that his dog will eat the trash. According to him, installing more trash cans could work as a solution.

"We just need a little more trashcans, I think that would help" said Jue. "We just don't have enough of them. So when you're walking, there's no where to put the trash so people just throw it around."

To learn more about the Stones River Greenway cleanup, follow this link.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/community-invited-to-help-clean-up-stones-river-greenway/