Malvern officials warn park vandalism may lead to restroom removal
Council hears complaints about park conditions while pursuing walking track improvements and infrastructure projects
Portable restrooms at Malvern Village Park were among the facilities discussed during the June 1 Malvern Village Council meeting after officials reported repeated vandalism and damage. Council members said continued vandalism could result in the removal of public restrooms at the park.
Thomas Clapper
Malvern Village Council discussed vandalism, maintenance concerns and deteriorating conditions at Village Park during its June 1 meeting, warning that continued damage to park facilities could result in the removal of public restrooms and prompting calls for improved upkeep throughout the park.
Council reviewed photos showing damage to the portable restrooms and locker room area, including vandalism that officials said has repeatedly forced repairs and replacement of supplies.
Councilwoman Marci Hubbard said the restroom situation has become a growing concern.
“If it continues, most likely we're going to have to remove them due to the maintenance and then just not wanting to service us anymore,” Hubbard said of the portable restroom provider.
Village Administrator Derik Kaltenbaugh also reported the new locker room building had also been vandalized.
“This stuff's got to stop,” Kaltenbaugh said. “We can't keep putting money into this stuff.”
Hubbard said vandals have damaged facilities, emptied hand sanitizer dispensers and created additional cleanup and maintenance costs.
The discussion expanded into broader concerns about the overall condition of the park. Hubbard, who serves on the park board, pointed to a broken swing, damaged benches, overgrown weeds around playground equipment, missing volleyball equipment and other unresolved maintenance issues.
“If you look around the swings underneath of them, the smaller equipment, it looks like an abandoned park,” Hubbard said. “There's weeds and grass. I mean, it looks terrible.”
She said a broken swing had remained unrepaired for weeks and suggested village employees conduct a weekly walkthrough of the park to identify maintenance issues before they worsen.
“I'm a council member, and I'm embarrassed,” Councilman Jan Wackerly said. “It is awful. It's a bad reflection on all of us that are here.”
Council discussed possible repairs and upgrades to playground equipment, including replacing a damaged slide, improving safety surfacing and seeking grants for future playground improvements.
Former Carrollton Village Administrator Mark Wells attended the meeting and recommended David Williams and Associates assess the playground equipment and develop recommendations for repairs and replacements.
Residents also continued voicing concerns about potholes and maintenance issues.
Resident Jan Davis asked for an update on pothole repairs, while resident John Champer thanked workers for recent repairs in one alley but said additional maintenance concerns remain.
Champer criticized conditions at the park, questioned trash collection and raised concerns about ongoing maintenance throughout the village.
Resident Nolan Champer asked council to explore extending the 35 mph speed limit through the village along state Route 183 toward Consumers National Bank, citing increased truck traffic, safety concerns and frequent red-light violations near downtown businesses.
“There’s a lot more traffic on this road now,” Champer said. “The amount of trucks running the red light is terrifying. Not only for safety, but I think reducing speeds would help with the noise from all the Jake braking.”
Council members agreed the request warrants further discussion and said they would contact state transportation officials to determine whether a speed study is possible.
Kaltenbaugh reported crews recently repaired three water leaks and continue patching roads when weather allows.
The village also continues pursuing a NatureWorks grant application for improvements to the walking track at Village Park.
In other business, council:
—APPROVED a motion requiring at least three quotes for purchases exceeding $10,000. Councilman Justin Wadsworth, who suggested and made the motion, said the policy is intended to provide additional transparency and ensure the village receives competitive pricing on major expenditures.
—HEARD updates on the recycling bins that Brown Township has been working on. Hubbard reported she heard the utility line issues are being addressed and progress is being made on it. There is no timeframe on this yet but the project is still on track.
—DISCUSSED the condition of park bleachers near the baseball fields and potential future safety improvements. Mayor Bob DeLong said insurers indicated bleachers taller than three feet may require safety railings. Council members said if railing costs exceed the value of the bleachers, removal could be considered, but they would first seek pricing for rail installation.
—THANKED Brown Township for mowing vegetation along Easton Street with its boom mower. “They did a great job,” said Councilman Mike McCort.
—HEARD Wadsworth suggest the village explore investment options for oil and gas revenue generated from village-owned property to potentially increase returns on those funds rather than leaving the money in traditional accounts. He said interest generated from the funds could help pay for future maintenance and improvements while allowing the village to retain the underlying balance for long-term use.
—PAID bills totaling $51,957.50 approved by the Finance Committee May 31, $4,106.09 June 1. The bi-weekly payroll of $4,537.60 was paid June 4 and the monthly payroll of $13,476 was paid May 29.
The next meeting will be held June 15, 7 p.m. at Village Hall.
