Heritage Hill Park grass vandalized

Council discussed the best way to block access to the park at night.

Over the weekend, White Oak officials were notified that somebody went into Heritage Hill Park and drove around in the grass — damaging a lot of the area.

Borough Manager John Palyo said at Monday’s workshop meeting that most of the damage was in the grassy area where they host Community Day, and he’s not sure who caused the damage.

“We’ll see what exact damage was done,” Palyo said. “I know there have been previous discussions and debates about gating the property, so I went ahead and got measurements across the entrance way. So, when you pull into the park, we would consider putting up a gate on the right hand side that will take you to the pool.”

This isn’t the first time there have been issues with vandalism and people entering the park when it’s closed.

According to council members, there have been issues with ATVs where people came up through the woods, along with other types of vandalism.

“I always kind of felt that with no gates, the police can do a quick patrol of the area,” Palyo said. “But we are having continuous issues with unauthorized dumping in dumpsters, bottles being broken in the parking lot. I’m open to whatever suggestions you want to try to accommodate this issue.”

The cost of the gate, installation and additional piping needed is estimated WHITE OAK •A2

“The park is supposed to be closed at night. So our residents shouldn’t have any complaints about not being able to use it.”

GEORGE PAMBACAS

WHITE OAK COUNCILMAN at $4,000, according to Palyo. He proposed closing the gate at the bottom of the hill, but there are still ways people can get onto the field, so they would have to relocate the bottom gate.

In September, the borough opened the MS Park Improvement Fund through an interest- bearing First Commonwealth Bank account. The money was to be used for parks and recreation purposes. They received $441,692.56 from the estate of Meyers Specter to be put in that account, and some of it could be used to fund the gate project.

Councilwoman Loree Scharritter suggested cameras in the area, but according to Palyo, getting cameras and a license plate reader would cost about $10,000.

Councilman George Pambacas suggested a temporary fix at the park by putting a chain-link fence in front of entrances where people are driving in, along with signage. The borough plans on doing that, along with discussing the vandalism issue with the police department.

“The park is supposed to be closed at night,” Pambacas said. “So our residents shouldn’t have any complaints about not being able to use it. We are talking about the hours of dusk and dawn.”

President Chuck Davis said they could always gate the access to the field through the library parking lot since people go through there to get into the field. He suggested that employees of the library can open the gate when needed.

“I think the gate should be at the end of Victoria Drive because two weeks ago, there were people parked there, they were at the pavilion and it was probably 9:30 p.m. at night,” Davis said. “It’s a shame because people use it to walk up there, and this is not the first time there has been damage.”

Council was in agreement that the park needs to be locked in some way where there is a main gate from dusk to dawn. Council plans on letting police and the library know the situation, and to try to have a temporary set-up blocking people from entering the park after hours.

Solicitor Ashley Puchalski said damage to parks has become a serious issue for most municipalities lately.

“Unfortunately we’re seeing it with public officials trying to strike a balance here between not having the constituents angry because you are essentially locking the park down, and between trying to preserve the integrity of your facilities,” she added. “This is happening everywhere. I’m surprised this hasn’t happened (sooner). “

In other business:

• A special meeting is set for 6 p.m. Dec. 30 at the borough building for the adoption of the 2026 budget.

• The reorganization meeting to induct new council members and appoint committees will take place at 7 p.m. Jan. 5 at the borough building.

• The borough received a MAP grant for $50,000, and SHACOG is planning to release around $55,000 in funding for the borough.