Families call for improvements to DeKalb County park

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. (FOX 5 Atlanta) - People living near a DeKalb County park are fed up with problems with the property.

They told FOX 5 the structural issues at N.H. Scott Park on Tilson Road are numerous including, roof leaks, insufficient lighting, non-working water fountains near a playground and gang-related graffiti on a large dumpster near the front of the recreational center.

"The children in the community deserve better because what ends up happening...They choose not to use this park and to go to other parks that are not in their neighborhood," Priscilla Davenport said.

Community member Helen Smith agreed, adding people should speak up for results.

"They always say the squeaky wheel gets the oil. I guess we don't make the type of noise they want to hear in order to come down and provide the services we need," Smith stressed.

FOX 5's Marissa Mitchell began making calls and sending emails to County leaders Tuesday morning regarding the problems. Park visitors told Mitchell, interestingly, staff started addressing some of the problems within 24 hours of Mitchell's efforts. For example, the dumpster with graffiti was removed and replaced with a new one.  And lighting poles were wrapped signaling their need for improvements.

The County's communications department sent the following statement to Mitchell:

DeKalb County is aware of citizen concerns about N.H. Scott Park and has recently completed maintenance including cutting overgrown bushes affecting the view and some parking on the property; removal of exposed screws in the outside concrete; and mulching trees.

A roofing contractor has been contacted to address a leak in the center’s flat roof. Once the roof is repaired, the center’s tile will be replaced.

N.H. Scott Park is set to receive more than $2.5 million in upgrades using special purpose local option sales tax, or SPLOST, and other funds for new restrooms and a new pool building.

Also, all DeKalb County parks are being monitored more regularly after the recent hiring of four park rangers.