Parks staff say Veterans Park restrooms remain locked evenings after repeated vandalism

Parks staff told the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee that restrooms at Veterans Park will remain locked in the evenings and when staff are not on site because of repeated vandalism and safety concerns.

“The restrooms, we we do open them during the day, and on the weekends when our staff is there, there's been a extreme amount of vandalism that has continued day in and day out,” Andrew, a Parks Department staff member, said. He described graffiti, a broken urinal and a broken window, and said people have been sleeping and using drugs at the facility: “...we'd get vandalized. We've had a lot of graffiti. My urinal was broken off the walls, may kicked it and broke it. Just a lot of profanity and things that you don't want your younger children especially to see.”

Staff said the bathrooms are open during regular staffed hours but remain locked in the evening to limit damage; they asked the public to report suspicious activity to the police nonemergency line and noted officers cruise the park regularly. “They do, cruise through on a regular basis. A lot of times the kids hide behind the building and then when the police leave, they come out and do what they're gonna do,” Andrew said. He added the parks department does not have budget to provide full-time personnel to staff the facility.

Committee members acknowledged the trade-offs between access and asset protection; one member said the closures are “sad,” and another urged community members to call the nonemergency number if they see problems. Staff said maintenance costs and repeated repairs are a primary reason for the restricted hours. The restrooms will continue to be available when staff are present and for organized events when staff or attendants are assigned.