Baldwinsville — To the editor:
Having lived next to Mercer Park for the last 12 years, my family and I have enjoyed many park activities but have endured frequent foul behavior coming from Mercer Park. Offenses have included profanity, public urination, vandalism of park property, trespassing and destruction of personal property, and illegal drug use.
It has been stated that having a snack shack would foremost “discourage mischief” in Mercer Park. I would hope that a snack shack would first provide snacks to park patrons, not be the “eye” in the park. Since it is well known that “mischief” goes on in the park, why isn’t something being done to discourage this “mischief?”
Year after year I see the gazebo and the new playground equipment vandalized with graffiti or set on fire or young families driven off the playground due to unruly teens. The park is posted as smoke free yet the grounds are covered with cigarette butts. A dog was going to be used to keep seagulls from making a mess of the park and the island (yet people insist on feeding them). I feel having a recurring police presence year round that “sets the tone” for park behavior would be more appropriate then leaving that responsibility to the summer snack shack operator. What will be done after the snack shack shuts down for the day?
It troubles me that the village improves an area only to see it deteriorate due to lack of attention or the need to move on to a new project. Instead of a new parking lot or bridge lighting, I’d like to travel from one end of East Genesee Street or Downer Street to the other without having to dodge a pothole or deteriorated manhole. Let’s get back to basics and maintain what amenities we have, before adding any more.
As for the snack shack, I’m all for it. On the days of scheduled community events, I’m sure the snack shack operator wouldn’t mind taking a vacation day.
Bob Scherfling Jr. is a resident of Baldwinsville.
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