However, some have complained about the lack of supervision of children, out of control teenagers and an overall lack of respect for not only the property, but for those utilizing the city’s newest water attraction.

“I watched three fights break out at the splash pad,” said Elisandra Torres, a mother of two and resident of Jamestown. “I’ve brought my kids to the park every day since it opened. And every time we’ve come there seems to be teenagers who are smoking weed, fighting, swearing, or adults not supervising their children.”

Torres’ father, Billy Torres, echoed some of the same sentiments as his daughter.

“I brought my grandchildren and family to the park,” he said. “Do I really need to tell adults that they shouldn’t be smoking around children or swearing. I mean they’ve got rules up. What’s so hard about not smoking?”

A group of children enjoy the new splash pad which was recently installed at Jackson-Taylor Park. However, some parents have alleged that people are fighting, smoking and violating the pad’s rules posted in the park. Submitted photos

The city purchased the splash pad using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for the $170,000 project. Splash pads in city parks have been on the agenda since 2019, when former Mayor Sam Teresi proposed the idea. Former Mayor Eddie Sundquist included the splash pads in his plan to spend ARPA funding. Under Mayor Kim Ecklund, the pad at The Jackson-Taylor Park has been installed and open for about a week and a half. The other park designated to or the other pad, Allen Park, is on a temporary hold. As previously reported by The Post-Journal, the splash for Allen Park has had an issue with some of the hardware, and the part was returned to the manufacturing company after a defect was found. A replacement part has been ordered but isn’t expected to be installed for between three or four weeks.

However, the Torres’ weren’t the only ones who are having issues with out of control people in the current park.

According to Tawanna Washington, a resident of Jamestown and single mother of five, “You got all these big kids running around here, not watching out for the little kids, swearing, smoking and doing whatever they want. When you ask them (teens) to stop – they just curse you out.”

When Jamestown City Officials were contacted about this issue Crystal Surdyk, the development director stated, “I haven’t heard anything. I’m not sure if JPD or the Parks Department have gotten any calls.”

According to officials at the Jamestown Police Department, thus far there’s been no calls or complaints. Phone calls to the Jamestown Parks and Recreation Department have not been returned as of Monday afternoon.