Mountwood Park security discussed
By ROGER ADKINSPARKERSBURG - A recent incident is placing more emphasis on the need for security upgrades at Mountwood Park.
Security was one of several issues discussed during a Monday evening meeting of the Wood County Parks and Recreation Commission, the board that oversees the park's operation. The commission met at the Judge Donald F. Black Courthouse Annex on Market Street.
Carla Knapp, park director, said weekend vandalism at the park has rendered the gun range unusable and closed until further notice.
Knapp said someone tore the wooden railing from the shooting platform at the range and dragged it away from the building. The incident most likely occurred Sunday night, she said.
"They basically tore it off of the platform and left it laying over the bank," Knapp said.
A report has been filed with local law enforcement officials, who are investigating the incident, she said.
The parks commission had already been in the midst of discussing a security camera system at the park. Knapp said she is in the process of obtaining bid proposals for the project and is expecting one more to complete the process. One company is interested in holding a presentation at the next meeting of the park board, she said.
Board members said the recent incident is another example of why a security camera system is needed at the park. Knapp said this is the second time park officials have been forced to close the gun range due to misuse and vandalism.
Knapp said another recent incident was a reminder that a camera system would benefit the park. Park officials found an abandoned vehicle at the park marina that belonged to a man facing trial on drug charges in Washington County. The discovery lead to an inquiry into whether the owner of the truck, Patrick Slider of Ohio, was injured or killed. Slider is still missing and authorities are continuing an investigation, which has indicated the incident may have been an attempt by Slider to fake his own disappearance, officials said.
In other business, the commission voted to allow hunting in the park from Oct. 18 until Dec. 31. The hunt coincides with state bow and muzzleloading seasons, said Jack Mathers, board president.
This is the second year hunting has been allowed in the main portion of the park. Other newly acquired portions of the park have regularly been used for hunting in the past and that practice will continue, officials said.
However, the hunt in the main section of the park, located along Volcano Road, may result in trail closures and other safety precautions, Mathers said.
Chris Swarr, board member, said it may be best to allow the natural resources committee to review the safety procedures for the hunt before making a final decision on trail closures. Sean Francisco, newly appointed board member, amended the motion to approve the hunt to include the stipulation that the natural resources committee develop a safety proposal dealing with the specifics of trail closures.
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RickWT
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08-19-08 7:34 PM
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Flogging and expatriation for vandalism. Now there's an idea.
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intheshadows
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08-19-08 8:21 AM
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raccoon is a bad word?
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intheshadows
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08-19-08 8:19 AM
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Beer + Rac***** = Trouble
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REALLYDISTURBED
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08-19-08 8:12 AM
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"rendered the gun range unusable and closed until further notice." Seriously, how long would it take to nail up the railing? Why can't the wood county sheriff just start patroling the park?
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mythravere
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08-19-08 6:23 AM
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Public flogging needs to be brought back maybe these idiots would think twice if they where smacked around in front of a few hundred people. I think its time for three strikes and you loose your citizenship kick em out of this country solve alot of our problems real quick and give some incentive to not do crap like this.
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