Vandals Damage Warminster Community Park

WARMINSTER, PA —Less than a month after birds were poisoned at Warminster Community Park, township officials have reported that the township's main park and others are being vandalized.

During Thursday night's meeting, Township Supervisors addressed the vandalism, shaking their heads at the need for such damage when township officials have been working in the past few months to make park upgrades.

"There's been a lot of vandalism at our parks. It's very sad," Supervisor Janice Charlton said.

Charlton mentioned an incident in which someone spray painted some remarks and she gave a shout-out to two people who got markers and "fixed it themselves" by covering the graffiti.

Warminster Community Park off Veterans Way is one of Bucks County's most popular and biggest parks with 240 acres and more than 5 miles of trails.

Township Manager Tom Scott, in his report, said that the vandalism is widespread at all township parks.

He said that basketball courts that are less than two years old will need to be repaired. Scott also reported vandalism to bathrooms and Safetytown at Warminster Community Park.

"There's vandalism at other parks too," Scott noted.

The township oversees and maintains 420 acres of active and passive recreation areas in 13 parks.

Scott urged residents to report any incidents to the township or police department.

"If you see something, say something. Please report it," he said. "We need to know so we can get an idea of when it happens and where it happens. We're not the only ones who suffer."

Scott said the township's liability insurance for its parks system currently stands at $484,000 and that the premiums are certain to rise next year. He said it's important for the township to file claims regarding the vandalism.

"This is debilitating when we're seeing this time and time again," he said.

Charlton noted that teenagers aren't necessarily the culprits either.

"We're going to find out who it is," Supervisors Chairman Kenneth Hayes said. "We're not going to assign any blame yet."

The township has announced lighting upgrades at its parks, starting with Werner Park.

Meanwhile, plans are in the works for a new playground and also for transforming Shenandoah Woods into a community park.

"We want to keep our parks looking beautiful," Supervisors Vice Chairwoman Kathy Frescatore said.

In mid-July, Warminster Township Police reported that numerous birds were found dead after their feeding stations in an old tower at the park contained poison.