FORNEY, Texas – One playground is closed and another park awaits repairs after reports of arson and graffiti this past weekend and on August, 29, 2014, respectively.
FORNEY, Texas – One playground is closed and another park awaits repairs after reports of arson and graffiti this past weekend and on August, 29, 2014, respectively.
Most recently, the Forney Fire Department responded to Eastside Park on East Aimee Street on Saturday afternoon. Playground equipment had been lit on fire and melted several parts of the playground set including a spiral slide.
The playground set is closed – roped off with fire line tape – until the unsafe areas can be boarded up to prevent children from being injured. It could be several months before the parts can be fabricated and replaced on the structure, according to Director of Parks and Recreation Richard Curry.
On August 29, 2014, graffiti was reported at the soccer complex at the Forney Community Park. Attempts to remove the graffiti with a power washer and other graffiti removal solutions were unsuccessful. The Parks and Recreation Department will have to replace the concrete stone caps which were vandalized – estimated at $1,500.
Although vandalism reports aren't uncommon, the extent of the recent damage is, states Curry. Repair estimates for the graffiti damage at Forney Community Park are approximately $1,500 and repair costs at Eastside Park are expected to be over $5,000.
“I think that we are very fortunate to live in a community where the leaders, past and present, place a high value on facilities that benefit our quality of life here in Forney. In particular, parks and recreation facilities,” Parks and Recreation Board President Jody Eastep told inForney.com. “We are very fortunate to live in a community that supports the development and maintenance of these facilities.”
“With that said, I would hope that each one of us would take it personally when someone vandalizes or destroys the things that we, as a community, have worked so hard to create,” stated Eastep. “I would hope that each one of us would respect and teach our children to respect public facilities. After all, it is our tax dollars that build and maintain them.”
The Parks and Recreation Department averages about five to six vandalism reports per month and approximately nine to 10 per month in the summer months. “These reports run the gamut of petty vandalism to more serious forms as evidenced this past weekend with the arson on the play structure,” stated Curry.
“I would ask folks to be proactive in reporting suspect activities,” said Eastep. “We want the parks to be safe and enjoyable for everyone. Our resources are better spent on improving the facilities and grounds and not removing graffiti, cleaning up 'abused' toilet facilities, and repairing and replacing vandalized equipment.”
“All of our parks, not just Forney Community Park, are assets to the City of Forney,” stated Eastep.
If you have any information regarding the graffiti at the Forney Community Park or the arson at Eastside Park, contact the Forney Police Department's Sergeant Prewitt at (972) 564-7607 or the Kaufman County Crimestoppers at (877) 847-7522.
