Dear neighbor,
Over the past several months board members and other concerned homeowners have witnessed an increase in community park vandalism. The vandalism has ranged from the destruction of park signs, shelter gutters, lighting, waste containers, and play equipment to continuous littering. The littering problem is occurring with and without the presence of waste containers.
There are two primary issues of concern. Number one, many of the youth we have witnessed engaging in destructive behavior are 9yrs. and older and all have been unaccompanied by an adult. Number two, while some of the youth are VAT residents, others are not. Some youth have been dropped off from communities several miles away.
As much as we welcome visitors, it is important to remember that the community park is for the intended use of VAT residents. The association must first serve the interests of homeowners whose dues pay for the maintenance, improvements, and vandelism repairs in the community. Visitors from other communities such as Thornapple Highlands and Thornapple Grove are welcome as guests provided that they are accompanied by a VAT resident, have adult supervision, and conduct themselves in a respectful manner.
All homeowners are encouraged to take an active role in ensuring a safe and well-maintained community park. Please take the time to talk to your children about what is happening at our park. Discourage dangerous and destructive behavior like climbing on walls and equipment that is sized for small children. Your role also includes the authority to request any unsupervised child under the age of 14 years or anyone engaging in disrespectful or unsafe behavior to leave the community park. In addition, we all love seeing the youth engaged in pickup games at the park. Please remind your children that the properties near the park are not an extension of park property. We must be respectful of abutting properties and their boundaries by asking permission of the homeowner before entering their property.
Thank you for your support in addressing this community matter and remember: the best deterrent to vandalism is adult supervision.
Sincerely,
The Thornapple Association, Inc.
Board of Directors