Group Members: Ahmad Nidal, Aqsa Jalal, Matt Khayle Carampil, Lenglen Simbre, Cing San Lun
Our chosen project is a park cleanup, as it creates a safer and cleaner environment while promoting environmental cleanliness awareness. We can always see different age groups that go to the park- from small kids up to our elderlies- and even pets! There are problems that we face if our parks are not safe and clean for everyone that goes there. For example, somebody stepping on a broken piece of a glass container thrown anywhere by irresponsible individuals.
When you visit a park, you might not think about the factors that combine to make this environment pleasant and safe. A park that is clean and well-maintained offers a safe and enjoyable place for people to visit for hiking, picnicking, sporting activities, or just relaxing on an outdoor bench. Keeping parks clean can be every visitor’s job, which helps contribute to a more welcoming park atmosphere. (aaastateofplay.com) Parks are prone to accumulating trash, debris, and other forms of wastes. These waste materials can be a health hazard, attracting pests such as rats and insects carrying diseases. Additionally, sharp objects such as broken glass can pose a safety hazard to park visitors, particularly children and pets. (nationaloutdoorfurniture.com)
The solution criteria for the Small Wins group project is that it must be the achievement of a goal or task consistent with the definition of a group from our text. That is, the project includes three or more persons interacting who both influence and are influenced by one another. (Rothwell, 2019, p. 24). The Small Wins project must include a community service component, with our group determining what is both our “community” and who is being “served.” However, the project must have an actionable activity that is conducted by all the members.
Further, the project must be accomplished within the provided timeline of four weeks, along with required documentation and support as described in the assignment.
Lastly, the project needs to be consistent with Green River College’s guidelines for the safety and security of students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The solution suggestion was to choose a park where we can clean up. There were a couple of parks that we chose from like the Coulon Park, Game Farm Park, Auburndale Park, and Isaac Evans Park.
The solution our group decided was to go to Isaac Evans Park located at 29827 Green River Rd SE, Auburn, WA 98092. We selected it because it is accessible to all of our group members and it is close to Green River College. We know that by cleaning up that park we are showing to the visitors there that we are concerned individuals and are willing to help make that park clean. When we arrived there, we saw a few visitors; some were walking their pets, watching their kids play, and there was a group that was fishing because the park was close to the river. They even asked us what we’re doing and we told them that we’re doing a group project and we were there to clean up the park. They were thankful!
We met as a group and collected garbage. Cing San Lun wasn’t able to join us because she had an important matter to attend to. We just told her to collect garbage from a nearby park or in front of her house and take pictures. We picked up empty glasses of beer, soda cans, bottled water containers, container lids, a soiled, very heavy baby diaper, cellphone charger chord, socks, gloves, barbecue grill, and a lot of trash.
In conclusion, this project was a success. We collected, more or less, 10 pounds of garbage. We started by cleaning up one park but we will not stop there. We discussed in our group that in our own little way, whenever we visit a park we will try to clean it up if we see garbage. In that way if people see us doing it, they’ll also copy us and clean up after themselves.
Rothwell, J.D. (2019). In mixed company: Communicating in small groups and teams (10th ed.). Oxford University Press.
National Outdoor Furniture. https://www.nationaloutdoorfurniture.com
AAA State of Play. https://www.aaastateofplay.com