I visited and walked the park today after this was posted. I did not see any hypodermic needles in either play area. There is litter- mostly plastic bottles and cups- along the shoreline from the area bordering the basketball courts to the west, and some other trash in the bushes bordering the shoreline in that area and adjacent to the parking lot on the east side. We'll get a crew out to clear that out. There is a small amount of litter in other areas. It would be helpful if people would carry out what they carry in. The trash bins near the ball fields are packed to overflowing. The area near the larger ball field with the black screening on the outfield fence needs to be raked and have some tree limbs removed. We will take care of those items also. While I was there, there were several children and adults using the play area, someone wallking a dog (on a leash with plastic bag in hand), a couple waxing their truck, someone parked near the shoreline reading a newspaper and a school bus parked in the lot. Not bad for a Wednesday morning.

No money for regular city maintenance obviously. Pet projects like renovatons/additions take priority in these tough economical times.

Quite sad that putting an addition on schools while other more used areas of Meriden become safety hazards, unkept, unmaintained. J

I keep wondering ust what is that the paid maintenance workers do to earn their paycheck. I see no evidence that yearly city maintenance is being performed, where are the workers and equipment hidden? Our city lacks proper management for sure. Raise the mil rate for special projects only when so many people are unemployed, its shameful

Except for the initial study of the high schools done several years ago, there have not been any funds expended on those projects and the projects have had no impact on the budget nor on the mill rate. Had you been in Habershon Park today you would have seen equipment and workers removing a very large tree that fell recently. I would be happy to arrange for you to spend a day with any of our city crews if you serioulsly want to see what they do. Making broad statements based on no knowledge anonymously on the internet is easy to do but does not contribute anything to improving our community.

Appearance of our city and these postings is not a figment of our imagination. I noticed you defend against my comment by stating if I were in the park I would have seen a down tree being removed. Obviously you were so consumed with attacking my comment you must have lost sight that someone reported "hypodermic needles" in children's play area.

As to posting anonymously......theres no way I'm making my name public, I truly fear retaliation. If the Police union attempts it (email sent out urging officers to submit complaints against two officers is allowable) I can't imagine what a homeowner might have to endur.

City in deplorable condition that has a very tarnished image.

Its just an overall sad situation here in Meriden

My post clearly stated that there were no hypodermic needles in the play area- that's not a lack of concern, simply a statement of fact.

I give up! Your post regarding the original post of this issue stated nothing about the needle observed at this park. No mention of needles not found in your comment on this post but you did mention that on the Hubbard Park issue reported. In your comment placed in this issue you just stated workers were at this park to remove a fallen tree. Never addressed concern of the citizen in reporting she observed needle

" Except for the initial study of the high schools done several years ago, there have not been any funds expended on those projects and the projects have had no impact on the budget nor on the mill rate. Had you been in Habershon Park today you would have seen equipment and workers removing a very large tree that fell recently. I would be happy to arrange for you to spend a day with any of our city crews if you serioulsly want to see what they do. Making broad statements based on no knowledge anonymously on the internet is easy to do but does not contribute anything to improving our community. "

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'Enough Typed'...you obviously either didn't READ the mayor's responses or have limited comprehension. He most certainly DOES mention that he did not see any needles when he visited the park personally. It is clearly stated in the first couple of sentences. Apparently you were more concerned with attacking the city rather than paying attention to his comments. As a homeowner myself, I have issues with the tax rates, crime and road repairs needed in town, but to attack the Public Works Dept. and implying they do nothing is unfounded. Times are tight, the budget is stretched, but I see the Public Works Dept. WORKING regularly. I've yet to see them doing nothing, unless they're eating lunch. I've seen them paving, street sweeping, picking up branches from the sides of the roads after the storm, cutting trees, picking up trash careless (or lazy) others have dumped on the sides of the roads, clearing the Linear Trail...I could go on but choose not to. Perhaps if you got out from behind your computer and actually went outside, you'd see these things, too. Mr. Kenzidor, I apologize for my fellow citizens'unfounded attack and appreciate your taking the time, during the day while working, to personally come out to the park and look at it yourself. The Public Works Dept. IS working, we CAN see it. I challenge 'Enough Typing' to get out of the chair and actually go to work with the PWD for a day. They'd most likely decline, however, as that would require some effort on their part. My family thinks you're doing a good job given the current circumstances, Mr. Mayor. Everything in life could use some improvement, but we all make do with what we've got. Needles in parks are a bad thing to have, but it's not the city's fault people use drugs in inappropriate places with no regard for others. That's what parents are there for, to look for dangers and try to protect their children. The original poster was right in alerting the city to the danger, but it's ultimately up to the individual to protect themselves. Personally, I would have carefully removed the needle and brought it to the substation to alert the officer of the issue.

Amazingly, I can honestly state that all posts were not present at the time of my response nor did I receive timely emails alerting me to response made (and still haven't) Obviously somewhere in cyberland responses were held up while more recent found its way to post. With that, I do apologize for my out-of-timed response but do not take responsiblity for the problem. I have noticed on myrecordjournal.com changes have been in the process, perhaps, this caused responses to not post in a timely manner.

Perhaps the internet liability issues might be a good reason that these forums can cause issues like this and from now on we should all keep that in mind

Although the internet is great researching things it is not reliable as far as situations such as this chain of events. Again, I apologize but I still stand behind my opinion of this City being allowed to deteriorate. Can not change that opinion of mine

With regard to originial post concern of needle sighting of the original post, I know I use a homemade sifter to clear the soil in my garden and they sell kiddie ones for the beach, you may want to consider taking one with you (be sure to wear thick soled steel toed boots) when visiting child playareas, better safe than sorry

We used to live in South Meriden and walk our dog in the park. My husband startedn finding the needles more than 3 years ago. We contacted both the police and the parks department, our complaints fell on deaf ears.

I drove through there today by the tennis courts and that parking lot is littered with GIANT potholes. Something should be done.

The attorney general used to remind us that when filing a complaint, it is critical to take a dated photo of the alleged offense. In this case, an observer should take a dated photo of any unsafe objects found in a park for submission to city officials. Mary Mushinsky, QRWA

My husband handed hypodermic needles to police in the park. Shown them to city workers and baseball coaches. Nothing is ever done.

I doubt the hypes are using at the parks when the cops and/or city workers are actually there. Neighbors should keep an eye out and call the police when they see something suspicious. It's the best we can do. The only people out at 3 and 4 AM, for instance, are cops and criminals (and newspaper carriers). Like the commercial says..."If you see something, say something". Besides, if the police park a cruiser there 24/7, that's just going to push the hypes to another dark, secluded place to use. We all need to be more vigilant of our surroundings. We don't live in Mayberry, where we can leave our doors unlocked and keep a pie cooling on the windowsill. We live in a good-sized city where there are quite a few crimes being committed by people who just don't give a hoot about anyone but themselves at any given moment. Better to report something and have it be a mistake than to keep our collective mouths shut and make this city less safe than it already is.

Per Larry Kendzior twenty days ago
"I visited and walked the park today after this was posted. I did not see any hypodermic needles in either play area" How can so many people be stating the same issue?
Time to safely pick up those needles and drop them off at "the office"

I too have noticed many people littering in the park at night. These are not the individuals you would ask what they are doing there. And they are leaving some nasty garbage behind them. If you have kids then beware

Common Sense: If you see the littering,get a good description of the culprits, dial the non emergency line (203) 630-6201) and report these people. In my opinion Issues like Littering, Loitering, etc should be not be listed in online forums, they should be reported directly to the police. Complaining about these kind of issues online will not get immediate attention, calling the police as you witness this kind of issue will most likely get results.

I go metal detecting at a couple of the parks (I fill holes & water the area I dig in) and I feel that our park workers do a fine job. They have been cheerful and polite when speaking to me. I don't blame them for people being disgusting by discarding trash. The way litterers are, it would take an army to clean up after them.

Anywhere you go, there are always going to be issues that need work or attention. Our city, like our homes, cars, etc. Are all things that need care. Its up to those closeby to work hand in hand with police, and city personnel. Any place open to the public, is likely to have problems like the needle issue. I personally grateful that someone is acknowleding these complaints and taking the time to respond and more importantly address/fix the problems at hand. Thank you. Your efforts do NOT go unnoticed.

Then they want to raise the mill rates. ..For what? The new police car rentals,
For the flooded parks, for trash all over town. Isn't public works department supposed to pick up the City trash. Wallingford does.