Editor:
On a recent lunch break, I stopped by Douglas Park and was appalled to see the conditions at the turtle pond.
While there is a sign asking visitors to refrain from feeding the turtles so as not to upset the fragile ecosystem, the system appears to be very upset indeed. The poor little turtles were paddling their way through the murky water under a blanket of algae as thick as green cake batter that collected on their noses and shells.
Is the turtle pond a victim of budget cutbacks by the city? If so, might there be a volunteer organization willing to step in and clean up the pond?
The pond, which should be a tranquil mini urban oasis, has become an eyesore that is very off-putting to visitors and, more important, does not appear to be a healthful environment for the turtles.
Jim Bristol
Santa Monica
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