Damage shuts down popular Springfield splash park

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Possible vandalism at Bethie’s Sprayground has temporarily closed the area, according to the National Trail Parks and Recreation District.

Leann Castillo, the director of NTPRD, said it is unclear why someone decided to try to pry the activation button at the water park, located in Snyder Park.

“It’s very frustrating,” she said. “Our community donors came together to make this park possible for our community. Whether someone was vandalizing or thought they were fixing it, it didn’t help.”

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If something that belongs to the NTPRD isn’t working, the proper thing to do is contact them either by telephone or on Facebook to alert them to the problem, Castillo said.

“People will send us a message on Facebook or tag us,” she said. “We monitor it all the time.”

NTPRD has ordered a replacement but it’s going to take a few days for the part to get back up and running, Castillo said.

Rob Myers, who takes his grandson to the park often, said it’s not surprising someone would damage something everyone enjoys.

“There is a lot of kids that run around, they don’t have anything to do. The parents don’t keep a close enough eye on them,” he said.

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However, he said it’s important not to assume anything.

“It could have been an accident,” Myers said. “I don’t know what happened. But if it is an ongoing issue something should be done.”

Castillo said the parks are working hard to provide a fun, safe environment for kids this summer. Anyone thinking about doing damage to their property should think again.

“We hope the community can work with us and understand their actions affect many other people,” she said.

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