I am a lifelong Oak Parker (son of Anne and Dick Murphy, from south Oak Park). I grew up on the 800 block of South Grove, behind what is now the Ale House and formerly Baar’s Dime Store. I have watched the evolution of Oak Park and have always noticed a dichotomy between North and South Oak Park. This is the first time I’ve ever reached out to “complain” about anything Oak Park. But here it is: I’ve lived at 431 Clinton, for the past 22 years. Over the years there have always been tenants on Madison (Robinson’s Ribs and Walgreens, before they moved) that didn’t keep their garbage contained to their cans or generally kept their area tidy.
Recently Robinson’s moved and the Dollar Tree has moved in. Since their arrival, the garbage in their lot and the surrounding area has increased. A week and a half ago, my wife and I reached our tipping point. We’ve been picking up blowing garbage on our block for a long time now. But now their garbage can is overflowing with garbage with customers just throwing their garbage “by” the can. All of this garbage then blows around their parking lot and onto surrounding residential properties. I have gone into Dollar Tree to see if they would clean up or empty the can and the only response from their manager was that this isn’t their can or responsibility (though the can is in their parking lot next to their store).
I am not sure what laws/rules Oak Park has for this type of pollution in a residential neighborhood, but I doubt residents of North Oak Park (maybe folks at North Avenue) would have to deal with this. We have contacted the village to see if they can address this, but eight days later and no change, just more garbage on the neighborhood lawns and in their bushes. We have let the village know that we’ve seen rats in the alley and believe there are health risks with all the garbage and used masks blowing around the neighborhood.
I have included some pictures to illustrate the current issue. I’m hoping you and the Journal can shine some light onto this issue.
We look forward to hearing from you and we wish you and yours a very happy, healthy and safe holiday,
Steve Murphy
Oak Park