A Walk in the Park

So my husband and I have been loving the warmer weather, as it has really been helping us along with the motivation we need to get out and get moving! We live close to the Knights of Columbus Park and usually enjoy a nice walk around the beautiful path. Chirping birds. Swimming ducks. Laughing kids. Beer bottles, graffiti, garbage?! I hope I am not alone when I get beyond frustrated seeing the wall behind Menards completely covered in graffiti and cover up paint. What are the options for cleaning this? What are the options for avoiding this? 

I have to admit that before we had our child this didn't concern me too much. I figured that since it was always being covered up, it didn't matter too much. But now as I watch my child grow older and seeing his innocence being replaced by curiosity, this is starting to get under my skin. I want my child to grow in a community that has pride. The only thing that all this graffiti does for us is instinctively promote fear. My husband warns that he doesn't want me to walk there alone. I fear us walking there as a family at dusk. Really? Isn't this a PARK? Shouldn't this be a family friendly area?

I appreciate the efforts by the town and park district to keep this park clean and clear, but it seems their efforts are overpowered by the rebels of this town. It gets me thinking that something needs to be done about this. Maybe surveillance. Maybe lights. Maybe just closing down the path and taking away one more luxury from the citizens that take care and pride in their family, home,s and community. I would love to hear the community's thoughts on this subject? Should their be more monitoring? If so, by whom; the police, neighborhood watch? Please reassure me that I am not alone in this frustration. And I urge all citizens of this town to GET INVOLVED. If you witness crime, report it. After all, they do say that it takes a village to raise a child.