Community

Pacana Park – used and abused

Nov 14, 2006

Pacana Park opened at the end of September, and its use has been greater than anticipated. Unfortunately, so has its abuse.

Local residents have turned out by the hundreds for events like Founders Day and the annual Parent-Child Fishing Derby. On Saturdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., according to Parks, Recreation and Libraries Director Marty McDonald, 1,800 to 2,000 residents are at the park just for the enormously successful youth soccer program (see related story).

There are also tennis lessons and yoga classes at the park on Saturdays. Multiple requests for ramada usage have already sparked some user conflicts. “In all,” noted McDonald in his staff report, “we estimate approximately 2,500 to 3,000 people pass through the park during the weekends.”

Founders Day drew a crowd of approximately 4,000 to Pacana Park.

Fishing Derby participants got it right — catch the fish, then release them!

McDonald was at Thursday’s city council meeting to request a part-time parks worker at Pacana Park for eight hours each Saturday and Sunday. Why the need for additional coverage? McDonald listed the following incidents, which have occurred since the park’s opening:

Vandalism in the men’s restroom
Damage to the tennis court net
Numerous sprinkler heads ripped out of the ground
Piles of trash left throughout the park
People catching fish – and taking them home (the lake is catch and release)
An intoxicated adult male cited for public urination

“I’ve tried to be economical, and I hate to take funds out of contingency,” McDonald told council members, “but this situation does bear need.” Council passed the $10,000 funding, and recruitment for a parks worker will begin immediately. Additional help may ultimately come from a Park Block Watch Group or a Park Ambassador Program, both of which are in the planning stages.

Pacana Park, the city’s only public park, needs use, not abuse. (City of Maricopa photo)