North Vernon officials take steps to secure parks

North Vernon officials are taking steps to make sure the city’s parks are safe and secure.

The city council took steps Monday evening to institute a curfew to keep people out of the parks during overnight hours. Under an ordinance that received initial approval, no one will be allowed inside the parks during specific hours.

The move comes after vandals damaged the men’s restroom at the old concession stand area near shelter house #3 in early September. The suspect(s) used a large rock to destroy three urinals and two toilets.

Specifically, the ordinance would ban people from entering or utilizing the North Vernon City Park, at 604 N. State Street, or mini park between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., except by written permit. The recently renovated Tripton Park will ban visitors from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise.

Violators are subject to fines. The exact amount is yet to be determined.

The council is expected to give final approval to the measure at its next meeting after the start of the new year.