FORT GREENE PARK — Glass on the ground at Fort Greene Park might soon be a thing of the past.
The park's new director vowed to get tough on litter by organizing "glass patrols" — groups of volunteers that sweep the park picking up broken bottles and shards.
The patrols will focus on the running path that loops the perimeter of the park where the glass is most prevalent and buried shards regularly surface when soil erodes.
"We will be sending more volunteers out this year," David Barker said. "There is glass compacted in the soil on the running course — and I know it's important to keep it safe for runners."
Last year, there was one glass patrol. It was not clear how many there will be going forward.
Daly Clement, who serves on the board of the Fort Greene Park Conservancy, said glass is buried underground and continually surfaces — making glass patrols necessary on an ongoing basis.
"The glass is not only unsightly, it can also be very dangerous," he said. "I am excited that the director is focused on cleaning up the park."
The glass can also be harmful to dogs, like Ziggy the French bulldog, who was hurt while walking in the park late last year.
"We were walking along the path and she started whimpering and limping and I later pulled a piece of glass out of her paw," dog walker Max Frasier said. "She limped for a few days."
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