Swainsboro-Emanuel County Parks and Recreation continuously strive to provide safe, clean and fun public locations that are enjoyable for all ages. However, often times with any progress, setbacks of some form are bound to arise. In most situations when problems arise, what determines the overall outcome is how the problems are addressed. Will you allow whatever setback is involved to hinder growth and success or will you take control and tackle the obstacle and continue on with the overall goal of continued progress? Recently, the staff of SECRD were faced with such a decision and their response was to take action. However, the public’s help is needed.
Following recent repairs made by ClearWater Solutions at Swainsboro’s Billy C. Carmichael Recreation Complex which included a drainpipe replacement and removal of 50 feet of buckled asphalt that was replaced with concrete (all caused by natural causes), SECRD staff were thrilled to reopen the park’s entire walking trail for public use. However, a setback was faced at another park setting within Swainsboro city limits.
On Monday, November 8, Swainsboro-Emanuel County Parks and Recreation made the public aware that the Vann Community Park bridge had been vandalized twice within an approximate 8-month timespan. Several months prior to the most recent offense, repairs were made to the Vann Community Park bridge after being found heavily damaged by park-goers. Months later, in October, after the first bridge repair, the same bridge was found vandalized once again and has led to SECRD’s request for assistance from the local community on identifying the person(s) responsible.
The request for help with identifying the responsible party was made using social media and stated, “We need the public’s help on identifying individuals who vandalize Vann Park or any our public parks. Recreation staff further addressed the issue by stating, “All of our parks and facilities are for the enjoyment of everyone in our community and when people vandalize or damage them, we as citizens must step up and report them.”
Any acts of vandalism witnessed by park-goers or individuals passing through the area should be reported to the Swainsboro Police Department by calling 478-237-8967.
