Playground Is Used

For The Wrong Kind Of Play

To The Editor:

Newtown, we have a problem. You know that lovely little playground behind Newtown Savings Bank? The one nestled in the back of the Congregational Church House where there’s Sunday school, Newtown Youth Services and yes, the nursery school? Nice place. Kids love it.

It’s a favorite hang-out for older kids also. When kids are dropped off for the movies at Edmond Town Hall sometimes they see a great film. And sometimes the movies are rated so that children cannot attend. And sometimes they never make it inside at all. Instead, it’s right down to the playground, for some booze, vandalism and maybe a little sex.

I don’t mind cleaning up the garbage left behind – these things happen. The empty beer and liquor bottles aren’t too hard to pick up as long as they’re not smashed too badly.  Most of the graffiti can be scrubbed off with bleach and lots of hard work. The ropes that have been cut and torched can be replaced. The used condoms are about the grossest, but I’ve learned to wear gloves. 

Newtown, your kids may be enjoying the great gift of a $2 movie. Or they may be tearing apart a playground they once played on as pre-schoolers. Follow up with them, would you please? Because each time I’m in town, I plan too, as well as scores of other very concerned parents. And soon you may read about this in the police blotter instead of the letters column.

Thank you so much for listening.

Sincerely,

Kathryn Mayer

5 Hyvue Drive, Newtown                      May 5, 2001