HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980 10-08 Citizen patrols to curb vandalism at Nature Center THE REVIEW Citizentcurb a ro s to at Nature Center rN
e 1 /9
By MARY LEE HAGERT protecting the well-being of the park. I'm not as concerned about it.
activity is at its peak,at dawn and before dusk.
The Nature Center staff says it has an ongoing policy of "I take more of an interest in Four Season's Park because it Cityofficials emphasize that the park isnot unsafe to visitors.
The Maplewood Nature Center is for passive park visitors. trying to get the community involved. Grew says she has is near my home.I want this park to be a nice part of my neigh- p `
But lately, the large,wooded park has been visited by some walked around the residential area surrounding the park and borhood and want to see it taken care of.That's more important Most of the destruction is caused by youngsters during the
very non-passive individuals. During the summer months alerted neighbors to the problem. She asked the neighbors to than asking what are the police going to do about this (van evening hours.
vandals have been creating havoc in the park. . call the police if they see any unusual behavior in the park. dalism)," Zappa says. -
The Maplewood Community Services Department has There have been beer bottles and cans left in some of the WHY THESE YOUTHS engage in the destructive behavior
decided to take a new approach toward combating this old secluded areas of thepark,alongwith cigarettepapers.Zappa seems to remain a mystery.
"We want to get the message out that the Nature Center staff g Eric Blank, former director of the Maplewood Community
problem.
naturalists at the Nature Center,Janet Grew and Chris is angry about this (the vandalism damage) and plan to do and the park naturalists suspect juveniles are having drinking Services Department,says he sometimes thinks vandalism is a
parties in the park at night.
Soutter,are organizing a group of volunteers to patrol the park something about it," Grew stated. message to a community.
during the evenings. Maplewood Police Chief Richard Schaller says his depart- "KIDS IN THE eighth,ninth and tenthgrades have nowhere He recalls the Af ton Heights Park warming house was
ment recently hired two new patrol officers. With this ad- g burned down a couple of years ago. He described the building
The volunteers will be equipped with walkie talkies and ditional help,he hopes to step up patrols of the park. else to go and no vehicles,so they sit in that place (the Nature as"a shack"and says the youths'action seemed to say, "Hey,
flashlights. They will radio the police whenever they see any Center) where it's quiet and drink a six pack or two and get this thing isn't any good to us.Build us a new one."
suspicious behavior in the park,which is unlocked but closed to The police department also is considering offering a money home by 10 p.m.Mom and dad don't notice anything is wrong," The city built a new warming house at the park and have not
visitors after dusk. reward for information leading to the apprehension of the the school liaison police officer said. had any major problems there since, Blank said.
vandals at the Nature Center. Zappa says he has not gone to the schools to talk to large Or, he continued, it may be a message that the kids are
The staff and police say the majority of the destructive ac- groups of students in these grades about vandalism in general, unhappy or frustrated with their lives.
tivity at the four-block wide and six-block long park takes place CITY OFFICIALS are quick to point out that the beefed up and specifically that in the parks. Blank emphasized that he does not believe the vandalism
at night. They believe the vandalism is being done by youths patrols of the park may not correct the vandalism problems. "Those who are doing it are very few in numbers. The problem in Maplewood is worse than in other communities.He
ages 10 to 17. Sgt.Joe Zappa,police liaison officer for School District 622, remainder of the students don't know about it(the vandalism) is now head of the Parks and Recreation Department in
says, "We could put a patrolman in the Nature Center 24 hours and wouldn't understand what we are talking about. Plymouth.
AFTER EACH WEEKEND, something new is broken or a day.But as soon as he leaves, vandalism may occur again. "Now if we could get together with just those youngsters "Vandalism in parks is a state and national problem. It is
disturbed, says Grew. Recent damage included: the floating His presence will only deter the vandals or send them involved and talk to them — that would do some good," he society's problem," Blank says.
boardwalk side rails pulled loose; bee hives pushed over; logs elsewhere." states. He pointed to national studies showing that park vandalism in
along the rails rolled away; cattails uprooted; signs knocked Far more beneficial,Zappa says,would be for the neighbors It has been suggested that the center be locked when there recent years occurs most often in high and middle income
over, and tree limbs were broken. to inform the police when they see persons vandalizing the are no staff members on duty.The park has two full-time and areas. It happens least often in impoverished neighborhoods.
Many city officials believe the number of vandalism in- property. one part-time naturalists who work from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. "The vandals in these upper income brackets seem to think,
cidents at the park, which is located at 2659 E. Seventh St., "People around the Nature Center should use it.They should Monday through Saturday. `I can do it and nobody cares and I won't get caught and I'll
could be lowered through a unified community effort. walk through there and want to take care of that park. The park is used heavily by bird watchers, photographers have a good kick doing it'," he said.
The organizing of the volunteer patrols at the Nature Center "The community, including myself, have not gotten down and nature lovers. If the gates were locked after hours, these "And they know that whatever damage they do will be
is the first step in getting the area residents involved in there. I live five miles from the Nature Center, so physically persons would be barred from the park when bird and wildlife repaired."
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