By SHELLEY TERRY - Staff Writer - sterry@starbeacon.com
ASHTABULA — Closing Point Park after dark is a way to curtail vandals, say some people in the Ashtabula Harbor neighborhood.
Ten residents don’t want the park open until 11 p .m., as recently suggested by Geneva-on-the-Lake administrator Kevin Grippi and Ashtabula City Council. Grippi approached council about changing the closing time, from dusk to 11 p.m., after police recently asked him to leave the park at 10:30 p.m. Council agreed to consider his suggestion because of the view Point Park offers of the Ashtabula Harbor nighttime lights.
East Walnut Boulevard residents hope council reconsiders its thinking on the matter.
“We support the police for doing their jobs and want them to continue patrolling the park,” said a letter dated June 12 and sent to the Star Beacon, which was signed by Ann Rapose, Paul Goode, Jeanne Janosik, Mary Patricia Goode, Jean Meola, Trudy Severino, Robert Josson, Susan Cusman, John Keenan and Jane White.
“Mr. Grippi, you do not live on this street and have to put up with loud cars and kids out after curfew, wandering our neighborhood.”
Point Park overlooks the Ashtabula River, the Ashtabula Harbor, the coal conveyor, shipping docks and the city’s famous Bascule Lift Bridge, which goes up every half hour during the summer.
The Ashtabula Young Republicans recently “adopted” the park as a community service project, cleaning up the trash. However, the lights installed at the park are broken and in need of repair.
Grippi drove to Point Park after dark to see the new lights on the lift bridge but soon discovered the police no longer allow anyone in the park after dark. He said vandals have ruined it for everyone.
Ward 5 Councilman Jim Trisket said vandals are everywhere.
“Vandalism is everywhere, but that does not mean we have to condone it,” the residents wrote.
In the letter, the Walnut Boulevard residents ask that the park be closed at 9 p.m. weekdays and at 9:30 p.m. on weekends. They also want the lights at the park fixed. Officials in the city manager’s office said Tuesday the city will fix the lights.
