Keeping Parks Safe and Vandalism Free

With many schools’ winter-break vacation coming up, it is important for children to have safe vandalism free park activities that keep them occupied while out of school. For parents, it’s also important that they know their children are safe while they’re at work or running daily errands. These out of school programs are offered and take place at many public park and recreation centers throughout the United States.

A parent’s concern for the well-being of their children while these activities are taking place is often their “number one” priority.

It is of extreme importance, then, that the environment in which these programs are run is considered a safe environment. Vandalized play equipment and graffiti both create a physical and emotional hazard that can harm children enrolled in these programs. Destruction of playground equipment can easily harbor unseen, potential threats to child safety, while graffiti creates an atmosphere of criminal gang activity that can lead to further instances of vandalism. Graffiti can also lead to a child’s perception that their park is unsafe and that no one seems to care about their well-being. These emotions can cause depression and anxiety for the children that experience these types of destructive behavior occurring in their parks.

With the well-being of children in mind, we need to give them the gift of safety this holiday season and ensure the continuance of these out of school programs for all to enjoy and feel safe.