Director recounts slide vandalism and rescue, cites cameras and trespass enforcement

In the directors report to the Lebanon Board of Park Commissioners, the Director described a vandalism incident at the Green Slide in Memorial Park in which a four-year-old became stuck after vandals damaged parts of the slide.

The Director said maintenance crews and bystanders freed the child and that replacement parts were ordered and installed quickly. "The piece was on order. It came in. It took about four weeks because the delay, whatever. As soon as it came in, it was installed the same day," the Director said. He added the child was shaken but fine after the rescue.

Addressing security and enforcement, the Director told the board the parks system has "67 cameras that we have and our facial recognition" and that the department has used trespass notices against youths involved in vandalism. "Right now we have 14 kids that are already trespassed for this year where we've caught them vandalizing," the Director said, and he reported some cases have led to prosecution when restitution was not paid.

The Director said staff block or board up damaged equipment immediately to keep other features usable and that maintenance and police response have been effective. He asked the public to report suspicious activity: "If you see something, please call the police," he said.

Why it matters: the incident highlights recurring vandalism that takes maintenance time and resources away from routine work and can present safety risks; the department is relying on surveillance, trespass enforcement and prosecutions as deterrents while seeking to restore play equipment promptly.

The board received the report; no formal action was taken.