It's not all fun and games at Stanley-Deming Park

Warwick — Stanley-Deming Park is a pretty busy place in the Village of Warwick, especially this time of year. It is a park geared to all ages — from the playground to the ball field to the volleyball net. There is always someone who ruins things. Village Trustee Eileen Patterson, who is the village’s liaison to recreation, has been spearheading an effort to get those who are playing in the park, which sits in the middle of a residential neighborhood, to, well, behave. “Since the beginning of spring, the volleyball and basketball activities have increased at the park and we have had some problems,” said Patterson in an e-mail. “Some of the kids are fighting, some are drinking, the language is completely inappropriate, the littering is out of control, and there has been a lot of graffiti.” And since there are people living around the park with their windows open or sitting on their porches, and since there are little kids playing in the playground or riding their bikes, the language should be toned down, as should the music. The police have been called several times by neighbors who just are tired of it. And the village’s Department of Public Works is finding lots of cleanup necessary in the mornings, including alcohol bottles and beer cans. “It happens at all times of the day and evening, especially after school,” said Mayor Michael Newhard. “The neighbors are frustrated and they came to us. We have discussed it with the police and they have added extra patrols in the area.” And Newhard is quick to say he doesn’t consider this a kid’s issue. “These are young adults, I’d say between 16 and 20,” he said. Finally, when a fight broke out about two weeks ago, police responded as well as the village. The village took down the volleyball net and posted a sign instead, stating that the net would not be returned until there is some sort of agreement on the right kind of behavior. “The idea was not to punish the players but to draw attention to our predicament,” Newhard said. “Most are using the facility appropriately. We’ve spoken to them, sent more police, we are watching.” So far, it has worked. He and Patterson met with four young adults shortly after the net came down. “It went well,” said the mayor. “We had our say. And we told them maybe they are not causing the issues but they are all responsible for the behaviors. They have to get it across to their friends that they will ruin it for everyone else. It should be self-policing. We have zero tolerance.” And so the young men agreed to help out, to spread the word that if the fighting and loud music and profanity continue, the games will not. The village has been called out to the area once since the volleyball net has gone back up. Newhard is cautiously optimistic. “The village is not interested in baby-sitting,” he said. “They are in a place with young kids, neighbors. They have to act appropriately. Sometimes when you are young, you don’t recognize you are in someone else’s space. Not everyone wants to listen to your music. That’s why we have great things like headsets. And these are ongoing issues. We’re watching and the neighbors are watching. It is still a small town. Eyes are everyplace. This area is like a neighborhood watch. They hear the ‘shhh’ of a spray can and they’re out there.”