The city of South Portland along with other local groups hosted a community cleanup event at Willard Beach and several local parks to keep public areas healthy.
As a jogger in a neon orange shirt ran past Tracey Carson, headed into the heart of Red Rocks Park, a fluffy dog chased after him dragging a leaf- and twig-riddled leash along the forest floor.
Carson, a senior at the University of Vermont and an officer in the South Burlington animal control department, usually tries to flag down joggers when sheâs patrolling to enforce the park leash ordinance.
But she does not make a habit of running after people, she said laughing. If theyâre headed her way, she tries to catch their attention with a wave.
âAt the end of the day Iâm here to enforce the leash law but Iâm not here to be the park bully,â said Carson.