Protecting Wildlife in Parks; Saving one duck at a time

It all started with a concerned citizen.

Over the weekend, at one of our neighborhood parks, a local resident noticed something troubling: a duck limping near the shoreline, its foot tightly entangled in fishing line. She quickly reported it, and our Parks team responded immediately.

One of our dedicated staff members and I stayed on site, keeping an eye on the injured duck while we waited for Animal Control to arrive. It wasn’t easy—the duck was understandably scared—but we remained patient and calm, doing everything we could to minimize its stress and ensure help was on the way.

About 15 minutes after my call to DPS, Animal Control safely captured the duck and began the process of removing the fishing line. The outcome was hopeful, and it served as a reminder of something powerful: every small act of care for our local wildlife matters.

In Parks and Recreation, we’re often focused on the big picture—maintaining green spaces, building inclusive programs, and enhancing community wellness. But moments like this show that protecting the smallest lives in our parks can have the biggest emotional impact. Ducks, squirrels, turtles, owls—these animals don’t have a voice, but our community does. And when people speak up, like this concerned resident did, we can act quickly and compassionately.

After a collaborative effort to help this injured duck that was tangled in fishing line, we all felt a unique sense of camaraderie and purpose.

Saving one duck may seem like a small thing, but it’s part of a much larger responsibility. Our parks are not just for people; they’re shared ecosystems. When we take the time to care, clean up after ourselves, and report issues, we’re preserving a delicate balance and teaching future generations to value all life.

Thank you to the resident who made the call, to the team member who stayed late, and to everyone who sees the beauty and importance in saving wildlife—one duck at a time.