Cities across Wasatch Front work to prevent vandalism in parks

MAPLETON CITY, Utah — Some city parks across the Wasatch Front are being closed early this season due to vandalism. 

Mapleton City announced that the bathrooms in all its parks will now be closed so it can repair damage and stop further vandalism.

Logan Minor, the Mapleton Parks and Recreation director, said it’s not just happening in the bathrooms.

“We did have one playground that they tried to catch on fire,” Minor said.

He said Mapleton Parks and Recreation will be installing cameras in all its parks to help prevent future vandalism.

“I don’t think we [had] a park this year that didn’t receive vandalism,” Minor said. “This year we’ve definitely seen an uptick.”

Miner said there usually is an uptick over the summer, but this year, the city hasn’t noticed it slowing down even though school is in session.

Washington Terrace City Manager Tom Hanson said a temporary bathroom at its new park was burnt to the ground.

“When the firefighter put water on the flame[s], they shot up about 12 feet high,” Hanson said. 

They were able to catch the perpetrators and have them do restitution for the cost of the bathroom. However, this type of vandalism is so rampant that many temporary bathroom rental companies have changed their business practices.

“There’s actually several companies who will not rent to cities because of vandalism,” Hanson said.

Britt Johnson is a reporter and anchor for KSL NewsRadio.

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