The Barren County Parks and Recreation Department convened on May 20th to address pressing concerns about security and scheduling in light of recent challenges.
The department’s agenda was heavily influenced by a series of recent vandalism incident at Jackie Browning Park. This break-in prompted a call for immediate action to safeguard public spaces, during the meeting, two security measures were discussed, with the primary focus on increasing surveillance and appropriate lighting.
Chris Jennings, manager for the department, brought before the committee a proposal for a new surveillance system, to offset any blind spots that may exist within the cameras currently placed. Barren County Judge-Executive Jamie Bewley-Byrd was also present at the meeting, adding to Jenning’s proposal and emphasizing the importance of proper lighting.
Jennings went on to speak about the impact that such acts can have to communities and their leaders.
Ultimately, the item was tabled with committee members agreeing on exploring all options for the safety of the park.
In addition to security concerns, the meeting also tackled scheduling adjustments necessitated by an unusually wet Spring. With persistent rainfall buffeting the area, multiple cancellations of scheduled games have plagued the season, putting its timely completion at risk.
While the department understands that a schedule change will affect participants and their families, Jennings maintained that should the change in plans happen, it will be done so out of necessity to finish the season, so that the department can begin its upcoming programs.
The meeting concluded with a tentative plan to begin implementing the discussed security measures immediately and to revise the game schedule, should the need arise.
The Parks and Recreation Department will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as needed to ensure both safety and program continuity.
The next Barren County Parks and Recreation meeting is scheduled for June 17th, where further updates on these initiatives will be provided. Community members are encouraged to attend and participate in the ongoing dialogue about how best to keep our parks safe.
