VIGO CO, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) —Porta potties flipped, syringes on the ground and profanity written on several pieces of equipment, this was the scene at one West Terre Haute Park due to vandals.
It happened at South Seventh St. Park. As a result, county officials have decided to pull away portable bathrooms and picnic tables to avoid further damage. Their goal is to ‘try again next year.”
Vigo County Commissioner, Chris Switzer, said concerns about the park started recently. Security and trail cameras were hidden around the facility, but they were ripped out.
‘We’ve done everything we can to make this a nice park, we just need people to be more responsible. We need people to realize what it takes to make a park work and happen,” Switzer said.
Aside from the previously listed damage, people have attempted to set a park shelter on fire and stolen picnic tables. A mini library on site has had its books thrown out and ripped. Explicit drawings are scattered across the site.
“When parents are coming to me, coming to our Parks Department Director and the West Terre Haute Police Department and saying, ‘we don’t want our kids hanging out there at night because things are going on.” You realize there’s a problem,” He added, “You have to find a solution and solve it. At this time, I don’t know what the solution is.”
Additional security measures are being considered including more cameras, adding signage and closing the park after dark.
Tori Green lives just feet away from the park and played there as a kid. She said things have gotten to the point where she doesn’t want to take her young son over to play.
“It’s devastating, to be honest. It’s kind of heartbreaking it’s getting taken away from the kids, but at the same time, I feel like that will show them they will have to take care of the things they have,” She said.
Despite the setback, Switzer and others continue to push West Terre Haute in the right direction. Western Vigo County has been the focal point of plenty of investment including a new walkway, improvements to the Wabashiki, added infrastructure and more.
Switzer said the county hopes to connect the park to the walkway by a loop to increase foot traffic.
Green said she wants more police in the area and hopes West Terre Haute can leave behind its old reputation of being a bad city.
“It is a good area. I’m hoping they try [the park] again next year. I would love to have that park back,” Green stated.
If you notice any suspicious activity, you’re asked to contact law enforcement.
