Persistent vandalism at the Mancos skate park is becoming a concern for town officials.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m past being angry, I\u2019m just frustrated now,\u201d said recreation coordinator Leslie Hopkins at the town hall meeting. \u201cIt\u2019s a few ruining it for all.\u201d<\/p>\n
The park has been suffering from graffiti, vandalism to trees and structures, arson, littering, rearrangement of the skate features, and signs being removed or destroyed.<\/p>\n
Hopkins said a lot of money and time is spent repairing the skate park. She suggested that removing the ramps and skateboard features for a while would send a message that the town has had enough.<\/p>\n
Other board members agreed, but after a discussion it was decided that for now the park\u2019s skateboard features will stay.<\/p>\n
Mancos Marshal John Cox is focusing on catching the vandals and plans to increase surveillance, including possibly installing cameras.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to catch them and charge them. We\u2019ve had discussions with kids about the problem, and that if it does not stop it will be closed down,\u201d Cox said.<\/p>\n
When the skate-park features are rearranged it leaves bolts sticking up, creating a safety hazard.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been telling them if you want a different configuration, talk to the town about it,\u201d Cox said.<\/p>\n
The skate park is supposed to be closed from dusk to dawn, but the rule is ignored. The town gets complaints from residents about noise at the park, especially at night.<\/p>\n
\u201cPutting a fence around it and locking it at night would enforce the rules in place, and make it easier to catch offenders,\u201d suggested town trustee James Maestas.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we take it away, then kids might stand up to their friends and tell them to leave it alone,\u201d added Trustee Queenie Barz.<\/p>\n
Town trustee Matthew Baskin preferred an offensive approach, suggesting a welder be used to fortify the structures.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we take it a way, the 13-year-olds win, and they will migrate their activities to another area,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
It was decided to give the marshal\u2019s plan to step up enforcement more time to solve the problem.<\/p>\n