Stonecrest committee discusses gates, fencing and resurfacing to curb trucks and dumping at Farrington Park

Director Ledbetter told the Stonecrest Transportation Committee on May 14 that Farrington Park’s upper parking area has become a destination for delivery and commercial trucks and for people sleeping in vehicles, and she urged action to reduce overnight use.

"I was trying to get some control over the parking lot. They tend to use it for trucks," Director Ledbetter said. "We do have a few unhoused people that sleep in the parking lot in their cars. But we have a majority of trucks that from across the street from Quarry Apartments they are actually sending them … you can park over in the parking lot at the parks."

The committee discussed short-term and longer-term steps. Committee members and staff said resurfacing the parking lot is part of this year’s capital work and must be completed before permanent fencing and gate projects, but they also discussed interim options such as dusk-to-dawn locking, curb stops and electronically controlled gates that staff could open remotely.

Why it matters: committee members said the problems are creating safety and maintenance concerns and attracting illegal dumping. Director Ledbetter said one entry point to the park’s fenced area has been repeatedly lifted and reopened, allowing people to drive in and dump tires; she said the city has documented video evidence of the access point being forced open at night.

Committee members and staff clarified several points the meeting raised. Park hours are currently 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., staff said. Ledbetter said resurfacing will include curb stops in the middle of the lot and that the capital-improvement budget contains funding for fencing; the resurfacing work must be completed before fence installation. The committee also discussed remote-capable gate hardware that could be operated from a tablet or phone.

The committee did not take a formal vote on policy but gave staff direction to pursue interim measures and to coordinate with Latonia Police and code enforcement on enforcement, and to proceed with the planned resurfacing and fencing procurement. "Latonia Police, they also pull our parts," Chair Terry Fife observed while describing municipal-contract enforcement support. Staff said they would return with details and an implementation timeline.

Director Ledbetter and Councilwoman Alicia Washington also raised ongoing dumping at a second entrance and said crews have documented a large number of tires; staff placed removal of that dumping on the near-term list and said code enforcement will be involved.

The committee asked staff to prioritize a short-term interim plan that could be implemented before fencing is installed and to report back at the next committee meeting with timeline and cost estimates for remote gates and for enforcement steps.