Commentary; Posted: 7/14/04

Respect public facilities or risk losing them

By Cliff Buchan

It wasnít a pretty sight at Lakeside Memorial Park in Forest Lake last week. With less than a half summerís use in place, city maintenance crews were removing damaged sections of the new dock that serves the park.

The dock was the gift from the Hallberg Family Foundation and one of the key building blocks of the city park boardís plan for redevelopment of Lakeside Park. The Hallberg family generously donated $25,000 to the park board to purchase the dock and Hallberg Marine employees helped put it in place this spring.

That park redevelopment project, with key financial support from the Forest Lake Lions Club, is on the planning board now for construction next spring. As the planning for the project continues, some city personnel must be feeling as if they are beating their heads against the wall for no good.

The dock project is just one example of the frustration. During its first two months of use ó either from overuse, misuse or out and out abuse ó the dock has taken a hard beating. Itís been so bad that wing sections where boats can be tied up have given way after being hit by boats. Two of the wing sections were removed last week and more are likely to go if the dock continues to take a pounding.

Itís not the only victim of public mistreatment that weíve seen.

The beach house at Lakeside Park is also a target. Bathrooms at the facility are repeatedly vandalized. Recently the roof of the facility was damaged when shingles were torn loose and scattered about the beach.

Several blocks away at Schumacher Field, the covered grandstand has been the repeated target of vandalism over the past several years. Windows have been broken with rocks and doors kicked in. Portable satellites that serve the athletic fields on the complex surrounding the stadium are repeatedly tipped over. Garbage cans on the grounds are kicked over scattering their contents to the winds.

Why, we ask?

Itís a question that may not have an answer. But as a society we can play a part by being better stewards and watchdogs.

When using a facility, treat it as if it was personal property. That could well be the reason for the dock damage. Teach children to respect public property and set good examples for them to follow. If an adult is an abuser, it is likely the kids will do the same.

Donít let acts of vandalism go unchallenged. If acts are observed report them to authorities. Perpetrators caught in the act or apprehended later need to be accountable for their actions. The police need the help of the public in catching these thugs.

It is hard to continually stimulate citizens to do good things and work for good projects when so often the end product is treated poorly. It is small consolation, but those who do good things must recognize that it is only a small minority who cause the problems. As a society, if we work together, maybe positive change can come about and some of these miserable acts stopped.

If not the old saying of ìuse it, abuse it and risk losing itî will come true.

Top of Page