Walking the dog through South Parks, the early morning dew soaked my trainers. I didn’t care – or even notice. It was glorious. An upward sweep of mown grass, softly yielding underfoot.

The dog darted hither and thither. She followed a scent path like a technicolour mobile phone ad: tracks of odour invisible to me but vivid to her twitching nose.

The air smelled sweet.

Out of the mist, mature oaks and beech emerged. It was magical – open to all, and free.

What’s not to like? Well, this. The grass was defaced by litter.

Fast food containers, yoghurt pots, bottles, plastic water containers, foil wrappers, caps. You name it, I found it. Tripped up on it, more like.

If Oxford Council is good enough to leave the park gates open, 24/7, surely that’s an open-hearted gesture worthy of some respect?

Bins were placed at regular intervals. They’re emptied by council employees with admirable regularity and efficiency. Was it really too far to stroll over?

The birds were singing. A jogger arrived, and began exercising on the row machine; a young man appeared, sitting on the seat half way up.

He smoked a cigarette as the sun rose over the iconic bell towers, domes and roofs of Oxford’s historic heritage, and the multi-coloured Georgian façade of London Place below.

That’s the beauty of Oxford’s parks: they’re a place to relax for everyone.

The council does a great job ensuring they’re a pleasant destination, but that depends on the use – not abuse – which they’re put to by visitors.

All of us love to arrive in a clean and tidy environment.

Let’s make sure that we leave an open attraction in a good state for others to enjoy.

It’s not so hard to pick up the odd piece of litter lying in the grass if you see it.

Put it in a bin, even if someone before you couldn’t be bothered. Another time, you’ll be glad that an area exists which gives you pleasure, which others have tended on your behalf.

When the Pilgrim Trust and David and Joanna Randall McIver made the funds available for the Oxford Preservation Trust to purchase South Park’s 54 acres of land from the Morrell brewing family at Headington Hill Hall, they did it for the enjoyment of all.

Let’s honour that gift and its ongoing care with a few small gestures when needed: pick it up, bin it and look around you.

It’s a matchless vista, and you can enjoy it any time you like.

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