City of Fort Worth, TX

03/25/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/25/2023 18:16

How some creative Parks employees are helping to save wildlife

How some creative Parks employees are helping to save wildlife

Published on March 25, 2023

Necessity is the mother of invention. And sometimes can save a life.

A crew of Fort Worth Park & Recreation Department workers have crafted a convenient way for parks visitors to safely dispose of used monofilament fishing line.

Backstory:The device has an interesting beginning that involves a heron. At the groundbreaking ceremony for Northwest Community Center, there was a heron caught in fishing line. City employees quickly freed the bird, who flew away into the wilderness.

As a result of that experience, Eric Manley, who works in PARD Graffiti Abatement, came up with a design to build receptacles that collect discarded fishing line. Others who pitched in include John Michael Forester, Marcus Haro, Billy Roden, Paul Heine, Ruben Elizondo, Robert Denkhaus and Margo Gordon.

How it works:The L-shaped device is made from PVC pipe and is attached to existing sign poles near lakes and rivers. Anglers simply discard fishing line into the receptacle, and workers from Graffiti Abatement, Park Operations and Keep Fort Worth Beautiful's Adopt-A-Park program routinely remove it.

Bottom line:Each station is built from about $40 worth of materials.

So far, seven receptacles have been installed at Mallard Cove, Oakland Lake and Eugene McCray Park at Lake Arlington. Eventually, receptacles will be installed in all five of the City's park districts.

Lifesaving advice:While you're enjoying Fort Worth's beautiful parks and waterways this spring, heed this important reminder from Park Operations: "Always properly dispose of fishing line. Abandoned fishing line is a form of pollution that endangers birds, fish and other wildlife."

Top photo:John Michael Forester from the Park & Recreation Department's Athletics staff shows the simple but effective design of the receptacle.

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