The Michigantown Board has released a statement regarding recent vandalism and destruction of property at its local parks with a call for parents to ensure their children are not participating in the acts.
The board released that the new handicap accessible swing that was installed in the Michigantown area has already sustained damage only two days after its installation. According to the board, since its installation, the swing has been misused and vandalized by children in the area where children are standing inside the swing and banging the swing against the bars, causing damage and limiting the amount of children in the area with special needs who can utilize the swing. The board also stated that the safety straps and harness have been removed from the swing and thrown onto the ground with some pieces missing.
The board reported that the dog park jumps have been destroyed or are missing recently, picnic tables and the shelter house have been vandalized and metal on the park grounds have damaged mower blades, which the board stated has luckily not caused injury from flying debris as of its report.
The board continued to report that reports of children throwing rocks at the buildings at the ball diamonds and walking along the roof of the dugouts have been received, and reports of cars and golf carts driving in the park that is posted as “no motor vehicles allowed” have been received.
The board issued a reminder to parents and guardians that if a child is caught vandalizing or destroying property in the Michigantown parks, the parent or guardian will be held responsible for replacing the item or paying for the repair costs.