The Creueta viewpoint, one of the most iconic and frequently photographed spots on the Formentor road (Pollensa), has become the scene of a peculiar trend that has caused consternation amongst many residents of Pollensa.
What for some cyclists seems to have become a way of leaving a mark to show they have visited this special spot in the Serra de Tramuntana is, for others, nothing more than yet another example of anti-social behaviour. The railing at the viewpoint has begun to fill up with plastic, energy bar wrappers, wipes and other small rubbish that visitors tie to the structure as a memento of their visit.
The practice has sparked a wave of criticism on social media after a local resident publicly denounced the situation. Their post, accompanied by photographs showing the accumulation of objects hanging from the railing, received dozens of indignant comments. Many users questioned the need to leave a physical mark on a natural space whose main attraction lies, precisely, in its landscape.
Others lamented that certain visitors act without respecting even the most basic standards of civic behaviour and called for penalties to be imposed to put a stop to this practice. The controversy also comes at a particularly significant time, as Pollensa Town Council is currently running a campaign to promote a cleaner town and raise awareness of the importance of keeping public spaces in good condition.
This initiative stands in stark contrast to the emergence of this practice in one of the most scenic spots within the municipal area. Beyond the obvious visual impact, there is also the risk that the rubbish will end up being scattered throughout the natural environment, particularly in an area so exposed to the wind.
The mayor of Pollensa, Martí March, considers this to be “a senseless act of anti-social behaviour” and regrets that there are those who use a space of this nature to dump rubbish. However, the mayor acknowledges the difficulties involved in prosecuting and penalising such behaviour, as it is not feasible to assign local police officers to permanently monitor the viewpoint in order to identify those responsible.