Grant Circle vandalism

[A recent email from resident Adam W., edited for space]

I just returned from my routine walk around Grant Circle, which I like very much, to find yet another two sapling trees vandalized and thrown into the sidewalk, with trash strewn around. There's been a spike [in these incidents] lately that threatens to ruin a majority of the new trees planted there by the National Park Service.

I know the trash is a result of teens who gather in the park after school and it seems plausible the trees could be ruined by the same crowd, although I've never seen who is responsible. Either way, the Park Service does a pretty good job of maintaining the park, but they can't be expected to react to daily assaults.

I think getting just a few folks together after work to rake and pick up garbage, when the school kids are there, might make an impression. Just showing the park being appreciated by local folks might help dissuade further vandalism. It would be very helpful if a diverse bunch would show up, since I have found myself being harassed for being white trying to talk to a mostly black group of kids.

Adam

[Editor's note - I agree a high-visibility group cleanup could help. Stay tuned...]

Comments

[Bailey]

As to clean up in Grant Circle, I am often home in the afternoons and would be happy to help with the cleanup/visibility crew.

[Adam]

FYI, from today's Post:

GRANT CIR., 1-99 block, 6:50 to 6:56 p.m. Nov. 1. A male teenager told a male bicyclist to "get out of my park" in a park area. He fired a BB gun, missing the victim. Another male teenager took the bicycle.

[Carol Herwig]

This park is much too nice to be allowed to fall victim to a couple of vandals or unsupervised kids (not to mention the wayward cars). It's used by old and young (daycare regularly takes kids over there in the summer). And it has some of the nicest trees of any circle in the city. The cedar at the center is a magnificent specimen, better than the one at the arboretum.

Carol Herwig