Dear Fellow Citizens of Parsons:
I am writing desperately requesting the assistance of our community!
It has become painfully clear that we have a deplorable few among us that has been continuously vandalizing and destroying facilities and structures in our city parks. A couple of weeks ago, the bathrooms at River City Park were vandalized and were unusable for several weeks until they could be fixed and professionally cleaned. This same activity is happening at Mill Race Park too. Many of these acts are too repulsive and graphic to describe publicly.
Enough Is Enough! This has been an ongoing problem much longer than the public knows! It is not only inexcusable, but criminal! These offenses are vicious in nature and serve no purpose, but to inflict needless turmoil onto others. When caught, those responsible will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and will also serve an extensive amount of community service. The parents/guardians of these vandals, if juveniles, need be held responsible and made to pay restitution.
I have proudly served this City for nearly nine years as a Councilman, and more than four years as a member of the Parsons Parks and Recreation Commission. Never have I seen this City more continuously attacked by these relentless vandals as now. All Council Members, past and present, with whom I have served, including the Mayor, have fully supported our city parks. Having a few destroy what we have worked so long and hard to improve is unacceptable!
The addition of our Splash Park brings strict responsibilities to the public. We have rules posted that state NO food or drink inside the fenced area of the Slash Pad! We post these rules because dropped items and trash clog the system and can make it inoperable! This also increases amounts of needed chemicals and frequency of costly filter replacement. These unnecessary increases mean unnecessary increases in operation costs.
All rules will be strictly enforced. Any offenses will result in fines and/or revoked privileges of access to this “free” facility! If this activity continues, hours of operations will be reduced and an entry fee may be charged. If you see others breaking rules, do your part and tell them to stop! Their actions can ruin your privilege to enjoy this wonderful outdoor recreation!
In closing, I am asking every citizen of our community to be vigilant! Keep an
eye out around our parks! Report all suspicious activity to the Tucker County 9-1-1 Communications Center by calling 9-1-1. By reporting this activity, we can bring these vandals to justice. Please remind others to abide by all posted rules. Assure them by doing so, they are protecting everyone’s privilege of enjoying our beautiful parks. The egregious acts of some may inhibit the ability of many to enjoy one of the most pristine City Park Systems in our state! I am certain that with all of us working together, we can resolve these issues.
Very Sincerely,
Tim Auvil
