Man does his part to keep local park clean during shutdown

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — On week four of the government shutdown, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is no longer overflowing with trash -- thanks to some dedicated volunteers.

Even with closed gates, the serenity of the park still draws people to hike around the mountain every day.

Channel 2 Action News reported earlier this month that visitors complained that trash was piling up and there were few places to park.

But one man is doing his part to make sure the park stays clean.

Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach talked to Tyler Southern, who has been coming back each week to empty trash bins.

Southern grew up coming to the park and lives nearby.

A couple of weeks ago, Southern decided to use his pickup truck to make a positive difference.

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"People are coming anyway and the trash is piling up, so I'm not going to let that happen," Southern said. "I hiked up to the top and carried the trash bag down."

He said the first week, before the new year, he had a whole truckload full of trash.

He comes back each week, now with the help of a friend and roommate.

The road to drive up the mountain is closed, but all the paths are still open and you can still walk to the top of Kennesaw Mountain. A parking lot remains open about a quarter mile away.

"The worst trash can is the one right next to the overflow parking lot where a lot of people are parking," Southern said.

It's not clear when the government shutdown will end and parks will reopen.

Southern said as long as it lasts, he'll keep checking for trash.

Gehlback talked to park visitors, who were inspired by what Southern is doing.

"Let's work together and get something done," one woman said.

Cox Media Group