Unintended consequences: Kings Estates' playgrounds attracts noise, profanity and trash

Warwick — Donna Doucette moved to Warwick 14 years ago from the Bronx. She bought her house in Kings Estates and has loved her neighborhood ever since. The same can be said for many of the residents of Kings Estates, and much of Warwick for that matter. Like other areas, Kings Estates has its issues. One that is front and center right now is what should be done with recreation facilities that are not being used in the way that was intended. Here’s the problem: There is a basketball court and playground area in the Mila-Helena Road section of Kings Estates. Residents of the area have complained that those using the court are not respectful of the neighbors. The park is supposed to close at 9 p.m.; however, there are kids there until late into the night, yelling and using foul language. In the morning, what is left is evidence that not just basketball is going on. Trash, including drug paraphernalia, beer bottle and used condoms, litters the playground come morning. And the residents are sick of it. A $50,000 fix? The Kings Estates Recreation Committee has put out a recommendation to take the basketball nets out of the Mila-Helena area and make it a children’s playground. It also recommended refurbishing the basketball court on Darin Road, moving all basketball activity to that end of the development. The commission has received a bid from a company for about $50,000 to do the work. But that’s on hold until committee members can come up with a consensus. Doucette, whose home backs up to the Darin Road play area, is strongly against that proposal. “Many years ago the park at Darin Road had playground equipment and young adults hung out there at all hours of the night,” said Doucette. “Closing the Mila-Helena Road playground will only move the problem back here, instead of solving it.” She also said the neighbors in Wickham Village should have a say in it, too, because their homes back up to the Darin area. Little feedback from residents Alex Alvelo has been on the Kings Estates Recreation Committee since its inception in 2001. She is the chairperson and a seven-year resident of the community. “We have 352 homes here in Kings Estates,” said Alvelo. “The Recreation Committee sent out cards to get feedback from the residents and so far we’ve gotten back 89 cards. It’s disheartening. This is our third round of feedback. We only had 71 cards the time before that.” Alvelo said the five-member committee is trying to enhance the community by bringing better recreation to the neighborhood. The basketball court in the Mila-Helena area is literally right in people’s backyards. There are many more houses there — it’s just not the right place for it. Darin, she said, is a better site for basketball courts. Still, she and three other members of the committee are not necessarily in favor of building anything right now. She doesn’t want to ask the town to spend this park district’s money only to have the facilities vandalized again. Park attracts kids from all over “We are dealing with a lot of vandalism right now,” said Alvelo. “It’s just not good. We need to step up. Parents need to be responsible for their kids. I don’t think it is a good idea to spend money right now when there is so little respect for those living around here.” Recently, speed bumps were ripped up by kids, she said. Music blares, language is out of control. There was a neighborhood watch in place, but Alvelo said there is very little participation and they are awaiting a replacement for their police liaison who recently retired. She also said that although this may put the kids in her development in a bad light, it’s not just kids who live there who are responsible for the vandalism. “Kids from all over come here to hang out,” she said. “It’s not just kids who live here that are doing this.” Town of Warwick Supervisor Michael Sweeton said he has heard from committee members as well as residents and kids on all sides of the issue. A town hall meeting brought out a decent showing of residents a few months ago, but it is a tough call. He understands why residents may not want a facility near their homes but he also understands why the move was suggested. “There have been complaints from the Mila-Helena Road area,” he said, noting he hasn’t gotten any complaints or comments from Wickham Village residents. “There are lots of homes there and it is a small area. Darin Road court is somewhat more isolated and a bigger area. The committee feels kids are not respecting it and may close it down altogether.” Vandalism no different here That was the tack taken in the Village of Warwick’s Stanley-Deming Park recently when neighbors complained about late night noise and activity at the volleyball court. The village took down the net and met with the groups who used it. The village asked that them to police themselves better, keeping track of the allowed hours and of the noise level in the family neighborhood. The situation did improve. Although vandalism has been on the increase lately, according to Alvelo, Sweeton said that the statistics don’t point to higher incidents of vandalism in Kings Estates over other areas of the town. “(Vandalism) is no different there than anywhere else,” Sweeton said. “Statistics don’t show it as being any worse than anywhere else. There are issues with kids, older kids, later into the evening. They have to be respectful of the neighbors.” So what’s the solution? Doucette wants rid of all of it. “I say get rid of all courts and plant trees and bushes instead,” said Doucette. “If these young people are unwilling to change their negative behavior, why spend $50,000 for them?” Alvelo doesn’t think planting trees is the best option. It might give the kids who are seeking a place to hang out just the haven they are looking for. Instead, she and the committee will look over the response cards from other residents and try to get a consensus. Usually, though, it depends where in the development you are located. Those in the Mila-Helena area want the court closed. Those in the Darin area want to keep it open. Those not near either park, don’t respond. Rec Committee at work Kings Estates has its own park district in the town, meaning they are solely responsible for the costs within the district. The development was built to have a homeowners association but that didn’t happen. The developer left money in an escrow account for unbuilt recreation facilities. The committee was formed to advise the town on what is needed in terms of recreation in the development. In the meantime, Alvelo encouraged her fellow residents to be vigilant. “If you hear anything after 9 p.m., call the police,” she said. “The kids will be sent home.” She patrols the neighborhood after she gets home from work, just to be on the lookout for anything going on. She encouraged her neighbors to do the same. Sweeton gives kudos to the Recreation Committee which, he said, works hard to improve the quality of life for all of the residents in Kings Estates. “This committee has done a lot of great work for Kings Estates,” said Sweeton. “The town expends their funds, but we defer to their opinions. They do a lot of outreach to get opinions. We work very well with them and will continue to do so.”