Urban Park Safety Concerns Discussed At Meeting

The gazebo area at the new Urban Park was filled, as many area residents came out to support the grand opening. (file photo)

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Oskaloosa Urban Park was built by and with the youth of Oskaloosa in mind.

Lately, concerns about safety at the park brought stakeholders in the park together for a meeting on how to address those concerns.

MCRF Executive Director Sherry Vavra sat down with the youth of the park, and informed them that she had spoken with Oskaloosa Police Chief Jake McGee about the concerns. McGee said that officers would be making hourly stops at the park in an effort to bring security back to the facility.

Vavra said, “If I understand it correctly, it’s a new element of kids that weren’t coming before”.

Vavra said that with the new policy in place, the calls to the park have decreased. “That has tremendously helped”, Vavra explained of the new policy. Cameras for extra security at the park are in the long term plan for the facility. Vavra hopes to have those tied into the 911 Center when they are installed.

Another concern discussed by Vavra was keeping the park clean and picked up. “I will ask you guys again to help us do that,” Vavra said at the meeting. Vavra praised the efforts that many users of the park make in helping to keep the facility clean. “It definitely does help.”

Penn Central Mall Manager Mike Gipple encouraged those in attendance to inform the mall if there is something that needs addressed with maintenance or a problem with vandalism. “Are you guys proud of it? Yeah, we’re proud of it…. If you’re seeing something, let us know.”

Vavra also discussed how the organization has been keeping up with the maintenance of the park. Items, like a cracked portion of the urban park, are being replaced by the contractor. Damaged fencing was fixed, and a rail was further reinforced for the skaters.