Sometime after dark one night in March, vandals drove vehicles into the center grass field at Round Island Riverside Park, leaving deep, muddy ruts in the ground and prompting more frequent nighttime police patrols.
Though county officials don’t have a dollar amount for the damage, the incident underscores a security issue related to county parks – while most of them are technically closed to the public at sunset each night, many of the parks are not gated to prevent vehicle access.
This recent vandalism is the second time someone left ruts at Round Island Riverside Park and just the latest in a string of recent mischief at county parks, Indian River County Parks Director Beth Powell said. “We are working with the Indian River County Sheriff’s office to increase security, but I don’t see any reason to close the park,” she said.
Round Island Riverside Park is open 24 hours, seven days a week to provide access to the boating ramps, Powell said. “We are aware of the vandalism and made a police report. The park restrooms are closed and opened daily, consistent with the park’s open/closed hours, but there isn’t a way to leave the ramp open and restrict access to the rest of the park.”
Several other parks with boat ramps always remain open, Powell said: Middleton Fish Camp at Blue Cypress Lake; Oslo Boat Ramp, 200 9th Street SE; the Wabasso Causeway boat ramps; and Dale Wimbrow Park, 11805 Roseland Road, Sebastian.
There have been other incidents of vandalism at county parks on the island, including spray painting on playground structures, kiosks and restrooms; removal of “No Parking” signs at Wabasso Beach parking lot; and removal of the gate post at Tracking Station Beach Park, Powell said.
Powell said she has asked commissioners to add a park ranger position to their budget, but she is unsure if that position will be approved.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
