EATON TOWNSHIP, WYOMING COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— A popular community park is closing for the foreseeable future after being overloaded with visitors and trash.
The big issue, the trash those visitors are leaving behind and what people living there are calling a lack of respect for their community.
Dozens of residents say they're fed up with what's happening at their beloved park and say it's become a health and safety concern.
Now that the park is closed, the question is: is there a solution?
This is what Wyoming County residents say is making them angry.
Trash spilled all over a popular park.
This video was taken recently showing the aftermath of what people say was a large gathering.
The problem has gotten so bad, Wyoming County commissioners met with residents Tuesday afternoon to discuss their options when it comes to managing Seneca Trail County Park.
The park sits just outside Tunkhannock along Bowman Creek.
For decades, residents tell me they've brought their families here to picnic and sit by the water, but with an influx of traffic 4th of July weekend, and the trash left behind, commissioners decided the park is no more.
"Garbage all over the place. Toilet paper, dirty diapers in the creek broken glass and it's just sickening, because this is our park," expressed Carol Russell, Tunkhannock.
"We don't bring our own children. This is no longer a family friendly picnic area for us people who have, for years, used it," stated Linda Coolbaugh, Tunkhannock.
People living in the area say they've been complaining for years, but that it's only gotten worse.
Piles of trash left behind by weekend visitors. Locals say many are from out of state and have no respect for their community.
"The one commissioner said 'They are disgusting, filthy pigs. We have to shut the park down, I've never seen anything this bad in my life.' This is what we've been telling them for three years. Just now, they heard it," said Coolbaugh.
County commissioners admit while people have been complaining for a while, they've never seen the park get as bad as it did during the holiday weekend.
With a lack of manpower from the sheriffs department, they say the park rules are tough to enforce.
Until a solution is reached, the park will remain closed.
"I don't care who uses the park as long as they respect it and take care of it, and until we can find a way to keep that under control, we're gonna have to keep it shut," explained Tom Henry, commissioner, Wyoming County.
The park will be closed until further notice, but county commissioners say they are exploring options and are open to suggestions from members of the community.
