Benches in the water again....

[Chriss P]

Sorry to sound like a broken record but the benches (2) are in the water again. You know were.

Theses are heavy cement/hard wood benches and requires an effort by a gang of people to get them in the water. So its not like the wind blows them in there. They keep tossing them in the water, I'll keep posting (I'm sure Im the lessor of the 2 evils).

[eds]

These are park benches being tossed into the water by mischievous individuals? I have never been to this park so I don't know for sure.

If so, I would say that these folks may in fact be the same ones who trashed the linear trail kiosks. I don't know for sure, but it could be.

See...this is why we can't have nice things!

And people complain about installing cameras for lack of privacy. I don't know for sure, but I seriously believe that there should be cameras installed so that we can catch these individuals. They have FLIR cameras. Expensive but the cost could be taken out of the hides of the people who vandalize public property. I've got a Louisville that might come in handy :D though it is against my better judgment.

[Chriss P]

Even fake cameras will deter these vandals.

[gene36]

Whats the big deal about putting cameras around town??
We already have them at certain intersections and more would be a big help in both traffic control and vandles who might be detered.

[jma]

I couldn't help but chuckle at the article about park caretakers, specifically the one at Guiffreda. He clearly has an exaggerated sense of self-worth!!! I hope the city finally makes a smart move, and lets a police officer rent the house. I guarantee the dirtbags that are doing drugs and vandalizing the park will be in for a big surprise!! Why ask someone to "please" take a stolen bench out of their pickup!!??!! Arrest the scum and send a message that it won't be tolerated!!

[collie]

Here's my prediction - the city will pick the same caretakers who have been at Hubbard Park and Giufridda and only charge them $100. Am I alone in feeling frustrated with such ineptitude? And putting a cop in those houses, one with the power to arrest, is a great idea! That would really discourage the drug use and drinking in Giufridda, also the dogs off the leashes. How's about an electrician as Hubbard Park caretaker so they can figure out how to cheaply shut the Xmas lights off in the day at Hubbard Park?

[Chriss P]

Don't take my word for it though, see for your selves. Nothing like the digital world. A picture equals a thousand words. Well these benches are still in the water (all 3). I saw 2 city employees in the park 2 weeks ago parked in their white truck. I was hoping they were there to inspect the park and do something to get someone to right the benches; but it was just whishful thinking.

[eds]

Mount them in concrete slabs and they won't budge. They are too close to the embankment which gives leverage to push them over easily.

[collie]

Good work again Chris! Have you considered emailing the city manager with the pictures and your concerns and ccing the newspaper? The paper will be writing on the caretaker story soon and those pictures and a discussion of park condition is certainly relevant. Although I wouldn't blame you if you didn't. One can go to a lot of effort to change unpleasant situations and the city likes to put a "positive" spin on things, in my opinion. The two don't mesh well; they clash and guess who gets the positive spin as the last word?

[Chriss P]

Could someone then facilitate getting these pictures to the city manager and a stradegy to get the message thru.

I need good contact info and a nice approach. I like Eds suggestion but note one of the benches the concrete was actually smashed (note the rebar showing). The caretaker doesnt hear this noise and its all after dark (park closing). I still insist there is no caretaker of present at that park.

I love that park, I have been hiking and exploring it since 1976. I hate to see go to the dogs and vandals like its done. I also remember when the quarry went back almost a mile not to 50 yards from the face of the cliff like it is today. There were no benches really back then and it was mostly hippies from the 60's error hanging out.

This is my petpeeve (oh the irony) and what I care about. I'm sure the city has a lot of other issues to worry about.

[collie]

I'm probably not nice enough; I enjoy a Mohammad Ali approach to problem solving myself. The city manager's email address is lkendzior@ci.meriden.ct.us and I think you would do just fine emailing him with your concerns and sending the pictures as an attachment. I write him every now and then and he does answer me.

[eds]

Rebar? The bench supports or was it actually in a slab? I don't see it.

A 6-inch slab, mounted through with rebar and rebar mounts for the bench supports would be hard to tip unless some serious demolition were occurring. Even with tap cons and steel brackets it would take a lot.

I am for removing them in that case if we can't seem to mount them properly. While I don't condone vigilantism, I can certainly understand why someone might suggest its use in this case. We need to start taking back our neighborhood.

[Chriss P]

The near side of bench #2. You see just the bar supporting the back of the bench. The cement has been smashed that enclosed it.

"While I don't condone vigilantism, I can certainly understand why someone might suggest its use in this case."

Yes!!! What would Chuck Norris do if they were his benches ?

[collie]

He'd run for president.

[eds]

Chuck is cool! Anyone who can sport that bad of a toupee and still kick butt deserves to be president. At least its not a Donald comb-over! :D

[APERLOT]

Hi guys. This is Andrew Perlot, a reporter with the paper. Would some of you be willing to be included in an article about vandalism at the park if I wrote it? I headed out there in the fall after reading comments here and found no trash and no broken benches nor anyone willing to talk about them.

Obviously that doesn't mean that it isn't happening, but I need to see something to write about it.

If anyone is willing to comment, please call me at 203-317-2234. If I'm not there leave a message.

Thanks,
-Andrew Perlot

[Chriss P]

I'de be willing to talk, but I would not want my last name used as there are some possible rough people that hang out at the park. Maybe we can hike up to the shelter/bench just above the rocky road on the blue trail and Ill show you the fire vandalism to that (actually I can also take pictures of it for you on my next hike), I can also show you were summertime drug activity occurs, and we can maybe witness some dog violations and the benches you have seen. I could possibly point out some dog mess. I find that around 4 PM on nice days were the most activity occurs.

I would like the dog violations to be a central issue as well as the bench vandalism.

[collie]

Go for it Chris!

[eds]

Count me in. When do you want to go up there?

[Chriss P]

Thanks Collie and Eds, lets see if the offer is taken and are schedules line up.

[APERLOT]

Sounds good Chris. I'm still going to have to track down someone that I can quote with a name in the story, but I'd like to go up there with you even if you won't go on the record. My plan was to head to the park tomorrow. Are you at all available? I'm about to head home for the evening but if you can leave a message for me on my phone, the number is 203-317-2234. Let me know how that sounds to you and leave me a contact number.

Thanks,
Andrew Perlot

[Chriss P]

Andrew I will be available tomorow I believe around 3pm. Ill be in and out in the morning and will see if I can arrange free time tomorrow to contact you. Im quite firm on my last name not being publicized though.

[Chriss P]

Hi Andrew

I left a message and can be at the park around 4pm today.

Thanks

[eds]

I won't be able to make it at that time. Chris, take care of this will ya?

[Chriss P]

Just to update Eds and Collie and the rest.

I met up with 2 great concerned people from the RJ (Chris and Andrew) and we had a nice walk along the path. We did encounter some friendly but un-leashed dogs, plenty of dog mess and areas of vandalism, awful graffiti, and trash concerns.

The benches had been removed from the res. so I have forwarded the pictures to the staff. I'de rather see the benches removed than to still be there as the pictues have already been taken to shed light on the issue. And, it wasn't an easy task removing those benches; especially if they had to hand carry those benches out of the ice.

It was a pleasure having the RJ take note of the issues seeing that the city is quite large and has many other issues also.

I want to bring awareness to Meridens great resource it has and do a part in minimizing human impact on the park. I don't want to ban dogs but want the word to get out that if dogs are allowed to roam freely and mess up the park, that there will be repercusions.

I personally enjoy seeing the dog owners having fun walking thier dogs provided they leave no traces or have minimal impact on the park.

I enjoy seeing the kids get out of the city into the park, and again; providing they leave no traces or have minmal impact.

I believe my goal here is awareness and education of keeping one of Meriden's final frontiers preserved as much as possible. We are losing space rapidly these days.

Meriden is known as a city; but it also has some of the most beautiful land areas in the state.

Once again; thanks to the RJ staff for taking note and spreading the awareness.

[eds]

Thanks Chris!

[Chriss P]

Thanks in return Eds

Now just for curiosity's sake. I would like to go to the library and see if I can find the mico-fiche articles covering the controversy of when Harry Vega was asked to vacate the house at the park and no longer be live on caretaker. I remember reading the articles in the RJ and there was controversy surrounding it.

Was the issue that the park no longer needed a caretaker, budgets, lack of performance etc. I'm curious because Harry was the last known dedicated caretaker of the park that I was aware of. I knew his son at the time and I was quite impressed thier kindness. To me, they were nice people to know and Harry seemed to be a good canine officer.

I remember one night how hard he had to work at the first and last rock concert at the Armory near the monuments. They cut the power in the middle of the first song after hundreds of people poured in with coolers of beer and whiskey. It was like a free for all and boy what a night that was dispersing that crowd. I estimate the year to be 1979 to 1981. I was glad to get out un-stomped. I really believed he worked hard to make Meriden better.

[Eastside Bill]

I'm happy that the Record-Journal is watching these comments and following up on some of what is posted in here. These forums are a way to get the pulse of some of what is going on in town, and the response in this particular topic is encouraging. I look forward to seeing Andrew Perlot's article about the treatment of Giuffrida Park. This is such a wonderful natural resource and the park deserves to be better monitored than it currently is.

[collie]

Well, the newspapers are all on microfilm but if you are unsure of the date's event, ask the reference librarians about the vertical file. They have a wonderful collection - all kinds of files. Biographies for one - you may hit the article if there is a biographical file on Harry Vega. Or there may be a file on Giufridda Park or one on Meriden's parks, parks and rec ... First place I would try is the archives of the R-J epaper. I think they may go back as far as the 1990's? The articles used to be free; now there is a charge but here's a really neat trick - you can search for free and get the title and date of an article, usually there's enough info provided so you can tell it's the article you're looking for, and then go to the library and look it up on the microfilm. It will cost you a quarter to copy the article; it's on an honor system and you pay the librarian at the reference desk on your way out.
Besides that hopefully helpful information, congratulations on a great job! KUDOS TO YOU CHRIS AND THANKS TO THE REPORTER TOO! Have you noticed all the hits this thread recently got? This is a common ground kind of an issue - we all love Giufridda Park in Meriden. It's so beautiful. And what good timing for a newspaper article about the problems there, given the recent caretaker deliberations.

[Chriss P]

Thanks Collie and Eastside Bill for the comments.

Yes Collie I will take your advice. I can also go back to our mountain climbing accident at Castle Craig on March 18 or 19 back in 1980 and was able to pull that article out of there.

I just love Meriden's wilderness and history. Thankfully I've only seen the black dog twice so far. We'll leave cliff climbing to the professionals.

[collie]

For what it's worth I tried the epaper - it goes back to 1997. Searched for Harry Vega and then for Giufridda Park; no luck. Maybe what you're looking for was prior to that date.

[Chriss P]

For what it's worth I tried the epaper - it goes back to 1997. Searched for Harry Vega and then for Giufridda Park; no luck. Maybe what you're looking for was prior to that date.

Oh gosh yea; we are looking back to 1980 around that time.

[DaveD]

Nice work Chriss P and Collie. Andrew's story ran today. Hope you all had a chance to see it. Here's the link to the story on myrecordjournal.com:

http://www.myrecordjournal.com/site/tab1.cfm?newsid=19230473&BRD=2755&PAG=461&dept_id=592709&rfi=6

We'll continue to monitor the forums for story ideas for both the R-J and myrj.com

Thanks,

[jma]

Chris, just out of curiosity, did you agree to use your full name? I really hope the R/J didn't do it without your permission.

[Chriss P]

Thanks for the posting Dave

I finally allowed them to use my name.

The irony here is have have not seen so much dog mess ever at the park as the day yesterday when we were there; someone actually smeared dogdoo on one of the benches (obviously someone stepped in it and scapped the bottom of their shoes on it) we also found a bag of dog doo (someone did half a job).

I see now that the caretaker has other work to do and not full time. I have never really see anyone out there enforcig the leash law. It appears complaints have to be made for the warden to go out there. If Im the only one who complains, then now I can see why no action is taken place. Not too many people these days care enough to complain about things.

I understand the caretaker now not calling the police if they wont go down the trail. Its like our condo complex here in Middltown were the police tell us not to call them any more if we find stashes of all sorts of drugs on the property but to toss them in to a dumpster. We only now call the police for very serious concerns and it is discouraging as the caretaker is not a law enforcement official and has be be careful himself. If he can't fine, then he needs help from animal control.

Also standing on the Dam is against the rules and we stood there to see if we could see the benches from the parking lot while waiting for the photographer so we would not miss him if we were down the trail in the woods at the time.. So I guess I was in violation for that instance of the park rules. But we were not near the pumping station which IMO is were the actual dam starts and is very dangerous beyond that. Were we were standing, people do fish there as a norm.

Eventhough blatant violations occur many times a day, should complaints have to be filed before they are enforced? I guess yes then as the city has many other issues at hand and I understand that.

Plans of action.

Patrol twice a week by warden in the summer once/week in the winter. For an hour or 2 at random times (3 to 5 pm winter and 4 to 6pm summer) are active times.

Find out were the park is listed as a dog park and contact that site to put an asterik *"Leash and curbing laws strictly enforced and fines handed out".

Get word out that the city is going to realize the value of the park and protect it from human and dog impact.

If Im a minority in this concern then the majority rules then there is nothing more I can do.

Its a beautiful park and I hate to see it get messed up as such.

And yes I did confront a dog owner whos unleashed dog took a huge horse like dump.He acted as he did not understand what I was telling him and got into his car and left after he let out his dog briefly to exclusively do his deed.

The benches in question were in the water for maybe just over a month but have been repetably thrown in the water over the past months and this is a constant thing going on.

I'm glad no one got hurt removing those benches and would have been more than understanding if they waited for warmer weather to take them out (kudos for the bench removal).

[Chriss P]

Well now that my name is reveald, you can go back a few post and discover (last winter) I actually risked my life to pull a dog owner out of the middle of the res when she fell thru the ice trying to save her dogs that wandered into the none-frozen water were the turbulence pump is.

I posted that warning a few pages back for owners to watch out if they let thier dogs off the leash in the winter.

She did get her 2 cute beaniebaby like dogs out but couldn't get out herself.

So I would go to extremes to help these dog owners even when other dog owners stayed on the shore.

[collie]

I can promise to call the dog warden and report violations when I go there later this year. If all of us did that much it might help. I admire your positive attitude, Chris ... must be all the fresh air and nature. The article proved every point you have made over time because the reporter, photographer and you went up on the spur of the moment and everything you said was verified. It was a good article ... hope the public awareness helps the situation.

[jma]

While we're e-mailing the city manager about the problems there, please mention that we need more dog wardens. Don't forget the city still believes we can get away with only 2. While one guy is cleaning the kennels every morning, the other one is responding to calls all over the city, and trying to catch up on all the messages left from the night before. I'm amazed that any enforcement takes place at all. God forbid one of them calls in sick or tries to take a vacation!! This is nuts!! There are 168 hours in a week. The average person works 40 hours. This leaves 128 hours a week with no dog warden working, unless the city is paying them overtime. Even if they have different days off, for at least 1-2 days, the city will only have 1 warden. I had a problem with 2 dogs running around my neighborhood attacking kids and other animals. I was fed up with the warden, until he explained the work schedule. Now I'm fed up with the city!! These guys must be fried!

[Eastside Bill]

I can't remember if there is a gate at the entrance and exit to Giuffridda Park. If there is, I trust that it is closed whenever the park is officially closed.

[Chriss P]

There is no gate but thats a good option like what they finally did to Castle Craig to keep vandals from going up there at night. Its a lonely park and a gate would possibly protect the caretaker from concerns of people driving in the park at night.

[APERLOT]

In case you missed the story:

MERIDEN - Twice a week or more since 1975, Chris Pimley has walked or biked the trails of Giuffrida Park, enjoying the tranquility of the woods and the water. But he's tired of seeing its beauty marred by vandalism and dog owners who don't pick up after their pets, and he wants the city to be more active about enforcing the rules.

Standing atop the dam that holds back the reservoir, Pimley gestured out to the water and the surrounding woods. "The thing is, this is one of Meriden's most gorgeous pieces of land," he said. "I've explored nearly every square inch. People think of Meriden as a city, but this is Meriden's wilderness." Walking along the trail that runs beside the reservoir, Pimley pointed out spots of broken ice where three of the heavy concrete benches spread about the park had been hurled into the water several months ago and only recently extracted by the Parks and Recreation Department.

Along the trail, dog excrement frequently dotted the path, with at least a dozen instances at the head of the trail. Of four dogs seen being walked in the park Thursday, none was on a leash and their owners appeared to have no means of cleaning up after them, despite the clearly visible signs warning that dogs must be leashed at all times. A sign explaining that fines will be leveled on dog owners who do not leash their dogs or pick up after them is attached to the message board not far from the parking lot.

Coffee cups, worm containers left over from fishing, potato chip bags and other garbage was crammed under the roots of a tree. The rest of the trail was mostly clear of trash, with the exception of the occasional bottle or lid.

On a few occasions, Pimley said, he's confronted dog owners who don't pick up after their animals, but it never does any good, and he comes out to relax, not get stressed through confrontations.

Roger Gibson is the caretaker of the property and lives in the on-site house provided by the city. He said that his job is a constant battle against people trying to damage park property or ignore the rules, especially in the warmer months.

He blames the bench vandalism problem on teenagers. He's frequently awakened by cars pulling into the park after hours, and he attempts to head the teens off before they get into the woods, he said, because once they're in, it's hard to root them out. The police won't chase them into the woods, either, he said.

Though the park department pulled out the benches recently, he said that he would have gotten some people together when the water got warmer to haul them out.

Gibson regularly tells people to leash their dogs and pick up after them, he said, but they frequently unleash them again when he's out of sight or when they come back the next day.

When a lot of complaints about dogs start to filter back to the city, the dog warden will be sent for and he'll start to issue fines, Gibson said. A more concerted enforcement effort would be needed to make a difference in the dog problem, he said.

"It's an ongoing problem in every park," Gibson said.

Gibson's position was recently presented to the public when the city sent out a request for proposals for people wishing to pay rent for the city's three caretaker houses and perform caretaker duties at the properties. The city intends to come to a decision on the applicants soon. Only Gibson and Jason Welles, both of whom submitted bids of around $400 monthly rent for the house, remain in the running for the Giuffrida Park position.

Parks and Recreation Director Mark G. Zebora said Gibson's performance was not being called into question. "He goes a great job," he said. The caretaker position is not full time, and Gibson holds down a job outside the park, so he can't constantly be watching for vandals.

Four or five park benches are damaged by vandalism or accidents in a typical year, Zebora said. A camera would not provide effective surveillance because the benches are spread out and are moved several times a year by his staff, he added.

Gibson can only look at the vandalism and shake his head. "There's no real purpose to it," he said. "They just have nothing else to do, I guess."

aperlot@record-journal.com (203) 317-2234